Dog fouling leaves a stink in county communities
ENVIRONMENTAL wardens have issued 80 warning letters and three fixed penalty notices to residents in one West Lothian town following complaints of persistent dog fouling.
Forty letters were sent to Whitelaw Drive in Boghall and a further two fixed penalty notices were served on dog owners for offences in the area's Limefield Park and outside the local primary school.
A seven-day notice was also served in Boghall's Margaret Avenue for an abandoned vehicle by the wardens.
The other 40 dog fouling warnings were sent to residents in Wallace Road and Haig Crescent, while the other fixed penalty notice was served in Drumcross Road.
The problem throughout West Lothian is increasing, particularly in Armadale's Main Street.
Donna Meadows and her husband Paul, who live in Woodend Walk, are both registered blind and have encountered difficulties.
She said: "I walk with a cane and if I've not trod in it then it's been on my cane and it's definitely not a nice thing. I've sometimes had to have them replaced.
"They changed the layout of the road on West Main Street where I walk to the shops and there is parked cars everywhere so to avoid them I have to walk through it sometimes."
Armadale councillor Isabel Hutton has also received numerous complaints regarding the problem from residents.
"It is shocking the level of irresponsible dog fouling that is being allowed to contaminate our streets," she said.
"You only have to walk along Main Street to see the contempt irresponsible dog owners have by allowing their dogs to foul on the street and not clean up after them.
"A number of constituents have contacted me to complain about the mess, in particular mothers with prams and buggies, and disabled people such as the visually impaired who, more often than not, trampled on it and are left with cleaning the mess from prams and footwear.
"Towns and villages like Armadale have the right to enjoy their local environment free from the nuisance and health risks often caused by dog fouling.
"I will be speaking to West Lothian Council who have responsibility for implementing legislation and ask how they can implement it more speedily to make a real difference to our communities."
Failing to clean up after your dog is against the law and could result in a fixed fine under the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003.
Anyone convicted of an offence could be fined up to 500 or given a fixed penalty notice of 40, increasing to 60 if not paid within 28 days.
Councillor for the environment, Robert De Bold, said: "Anyone responsible for a dog has a clear duty to clear up after it in any public open space.
"Those who fail to do so are committing a crime and are being antisocial. They could also be putting people's health at risk, as dog faeces can also contain toxicara, a serious infection that can cause blindness and liver disorder in humans."
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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