School joins forces with wardens
CHILDREN are taking action against dog owners who don’t clean up after their pets.
Longroyde Junior School, Rastrick, has teamed up with Calderdale Community wardens, to highlight the issue of dog mess around their school grounds on Longroyde Road.
Teacher Pam Clarke said the issue was causing a major concern amongst parents and many had brought it up with the staff.
“We thought we do tackle the problem as a lot of owners haven’t been clearing up after their dogs,” she said.
“The children have been designing posters which we are going to put around the school grounds warning people to clear up after their dogs or they could be fined.
“It just makes the surrounding area look very untidy and there are health and safety aspects to think about as well.”
Year six volunteers patrolled the pavements around the school at lunchtime with the wardens and marked any dog mess with a flag.
They also used spray paint to mark the fouling to highlight the problem as well as making it visible for passers-by so they did not stand in it.
It is also used to help members of the council’s Safer, Cleaner Greener team to come to the area and clear the waste.
The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 was introduced in Calderdale on April 1, 1999.
It is an offence if a person in charge of a dog does not clean up immediately after the dog has fouled in a public place.
Failing to do so will see the person given a fixed penalty of £50 or prosecution in the magistrates’ court.
If individuals are seen by an authorised officer of Calderdale Council not clearing up after allowing their dog to foul, appropriate enforcement action will be taken.
They may offer the offender the opportunity to pay a fixed penalty, or commence prosecution proceedings.
If the offender decides to not accept an offered fixed penalty notice, Housing and Environment Services will instigate prosecution proceedings against the offender.
If information is given to the council that known persons are allowing their dog to foul, and are not clearing up afterwards, a warning letter will be sent to the alleged offender.
Dog wardens can also patrol the area at suggested times when the offence may be committed with a view to issuing an penalty or starting prosecution proceedings if the allegation is justified.
Anyone who has information or wants to report dog fouling in the area can fill in dog fouling report form online at www.calderdale.gov.uk
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