Bridgnorth dog owner in fines call over fouling
A dog owner has called for the council to issue on the spot fines to anyone caught walking an animal without a means of picking up their pet's mess.
Ray Hulse said he had become tired of meeting fellow dog walkers who went out without bags or any intention to clear up any excrement.
Mr Hulse, 72, who lives in Well Meadow, Bridgnorth, said he had received support locally about his idea and wanted the council to back him too.
He said: "On a Saturday it can be terrible and you can imagine how bad it is when a dog fouls on the street and then people walk it through the shops.
"I cleaned some up outside the Hope House charity shop in Bridgnorth High Street over the weekend, otherwise it would have been all over the place.
"I have a bag in my pocket, on my walking stick, in the car and will always willing give them out but people should be more responsible for their pets.
"People I have spoken to have been very supportive and seem to agree with me about the on the spot fines."
Mr Hulse said some of the town's worst areas included Hospital Walk, Castle Walk, Crown Meadow, Seven Park and Stanmore Country Park.
He said: "I have never seen anyone issuing fines but perhaps if people were checked for carrying pooper bags it would mean more people would be held accountable.
"If someone is exercising their dog and they do not have any bags it is clear they have no intention of clearing up the mess and should be fined."
Mal Price, Shropshire Council's Cabinet member responsible for environmental maintenance, ruled out on the spot fines for dog walkers caught without bags.
But he stressed the council wanted to encourage dog owners to help keep areas clean by disposing of their mess in a clean and safe manner. He said: "Dog owners are required by law to clean up after their dog.
"It's an offence not to clean up after a dog in someone's control as soon as it has fouled on any land, which is open to the air and where the public are permitted access.
"Anyone not doing so may be issued with a fixed penalty notice or face possible prosecution.
"It's not a defence to say "I'm coming back later", "I didn't see my dog foul", "it's not my dog" or "I haven't got anything to pick it up with"."
To report cases of dog fouling to the council call 0345 678 9006.