COUNCIL CALLS FOUL AS DOG OWNERS ARE NAMED AND SHAMED (From Warrington Guardian)

COUNCIL CALLS FOUL AS DOG OWNERS ARE NAMED AND SHAMED

NAMES and addresses of people whose dogs are caught fouling public places are due to be published by fed-up council officers.

The ''name and shame'' policy by the borough council has been prompted by growing anger and frustration at people who allow their dogs to foul pavements, parks and canal towpaths.

Names and addresses of those found guilty could be published in local newspapers, on signs or on telegraph poles.

The borough council said allowing dogs to foul public places is ''disgusting,'' unnecessary and showed no consideration for other people.

Part of the campaign involves encouraging people to tell the council the names and addresses of people they know who are allowing their dogs to foul.

The council has issued fixed penalty notices for dog fouling since last April, although council officer John Gerring questioned whether £25 was a sufficient deterrent.

A figure of £75 might be more appropriate, he said, but this would require change in legislation.

''Complaints about dog fouling average four a day at the moment, and in practice it has proved difficult to catch offenders,'' he said.

''Dod fouling affects many residents in the borough, and we want to take a more active approach in reducing complaints and dealing with offenders.''

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