Bromley Council cracks down on dog fouling

The majority of dog owners in the Links Estate area are considerate and clean up after their dogs have fouled the pavements. However a small number of thoughtless owners treat the area as a dog loo.

A six month trial began in early September to bring about an improvement in the Borough's street scene. The Council has been working with Xfor Local Authority Support Ltd to enforce the scheme, with the aim of tackling littering and dog fouling. Uniformed enforcement officers have been issuing £80 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) where appropriate and are continuing to advise and educate the public to raise awareness about environmental matters. Litterers paid the price as 196 Fixed Penalty Notices were issued in the first 2 weeks of Bromley’s campaign.

Councillor Colin Smith, Executive Councillor for the Environment said "Although the Council would far prefer that everybody placed their rubbish in the bin and tidied up after their animals in the first place as the vast majority already do,  I would please urge those who currently don't to start doing so. This initiative is intended to serve as a salutary and measured reminder to those who either thoughtlessly or deliberately use our streets as their personal dustbins, that as well as the untidiness they cause, there is a significant cost to cleaning up discarded litter for the rest of us to bear, either though Council tax payments or reduced public services".

Anyone issued with a FPN for dog fouling has 14 days to pay the £80 fine. If the penalty is not paid within the 14 day period, legal proceedings may begin.

Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, councils have the power to issue FPNs for offences such as abandoning a vehicle, dog fouling, littering and fly-tipping. The trial scheme will give enforcement officers more scope to stop the crime of dog fouling.