‘FEARFUL’ residents who are reluctant to report irresponsible dog owners failing to pick up after their pets have been urged to play their part in eradicating the issue ahead of a new enforcement contract coming into force.
The Central Area Council’s three-year, £42,000-per-year deal with Kingdom Security comes to a close at the end of the month and a new contract will be overseen by a different provider - District Enforcement - from April 1.
Given the enormity of the issue, which spans across the town, the contract for Central, Kingstone, Stairfoot, Worsbrough and Dodworth wards has been tailored to have an emphasis on dog fouling and litterbugs.
Coun Doug Birkinshaw said: “Yes, we want dog owners to be responsible and do the right thing but we won’t change their mindset as they do as they please.
“There’s probably only ten per cent of people who have dogs but it’s the 90 per cent who don’t I want to appeal to as there’s been complaints galore.
“Fear has been a problem in the past and it’s something why people seem to be reluctant to report owners, but they hold vital information and we really do need them to speak out.”
During Kingdom’s contract, 1,196 fixed-penalty notices have been issued for littering and dog fouling, although just 20 fines were handed to dog owners in the last quarter from October to December of last year.
Coun Wayne Johnson added: “I think the figure of 20 ought to be applauded as it’s been one, two or three before and it shows we’re heading in the right direction as the new contract comes in.
“We have had a tremendous amount of complaints but this contract has been and will continue to be the most effective way forward.”
The Central Area Council is one of just three to continue to employ an extra enforcement team, alongside North East and South, who work alongside Barnsley Council’s own in-house officers.
Increased patrols, particularly in hotspots identified by councillors, will be scheduled in for the new contract provider while an out-of-hours service will also be implemented as offenders have been failing to pick up after dark.
Barnsley Council said it was ‘committed’ to protecting the environment and public spaces, such as parks, where the majority of reports come from.
Coun Jenny Platts, cabinet spokesman, said: “We’re committed to protecting the environment and public spaces across our borough and have a strong approach to tackling dog fouling.
“It’s the full responsibility of a dog owner to clear up after them, and there’s no excuse for a dog owner to leave the waste behind.
“We take this offence very seriously and anyone caught will be dealt with in accordance with the law which could mean they’re fined and prosecuted if they do not pay the fine.
“In 2018, there were 157 fines issued in relation to dog fouling offences across the borough which highlights how serious we are about tackling this offence.
“Enforcing it where necessary is a real priority in keeping our borough clean, green and a better place to live, work and visit.
“Residents can report dog fouling to us on our website.”
Do you think enough is being done to tackle the dog fouling issue? Email your thoughts to editorial@barnsley-chronicle.co.uk
