Will RCTC new dog bins, signs and enforcement officers stop bad dog owners?
New dog mess bins, signs and enforcement officers
The Council is introducing new dog mess bins, signs and enforcement officers across Rhondda Cynon Taf, following the introduction of new rules to tackle irresponsible dog owners.
A new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) came into force on October 1, enforcing harder-hitting rules for dog owners across the County Borough. They continue to be promoted by the Council’s Sort **IT Out! campaign.
The new rules include that dog owners MUST clean up their dogs’ mess immediately and dispose of it properly, MUST carry suitable means to pick up dog mess (i.e. bags) at all times, and MUST follow a direction from an authorised officer (for example, to put a dog on a lead).
Dogs are now BANNED from all schools, children’s play areas and marked sports pitches maintained by the Council, and they MUST be kept on a lead at all times in Council-maintained cemeteries.
Residents will now begin to see more Streetcare Enforcement Officers out and about to ensure the new rules are being adhered to – after the Council recently employed more staff to carry out these roles.
The Council is in the process of installing around 700 signs across the County Borough in parks, playgrounds and the countryside, to inform residents and visitors about the new rules relevant to where they are walking their dogs.
Meanwhile, the Council will install dozens of new red dog mess bins, adding to more than 1,000 bins already in place across Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Councillor Ann Crimmings, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure, said: “The Council has now introduced new rules for dog owners following a call to action from residents, who made it clear in a consultation earlier this year that they wanted the issue of irresponsible dog owners to be sorted out.
“The Council is now working hard to install new red dog mess bins and new signage – so residents know exactly what the new rules are where they walk their dog. More officer patrols are also now underway after the employment of new staff to help ensure people are adhering to the new rules.
“The new officers – who will patrol evenings and weekends – will be able to issue Fixed Penalty Notices to people who continue to commit offences. However, hopefully the new measure will persuade irresponsible dog owners to clean up their act as we would rather have streets which are free of dog mess than be issuing fines.
“The new rules will not affect the majority of dog owners, who responsibly walk their dogs and clean up after them. In order to make the County Borough a cleaner place to live and visit, they are aimed at targeting the minority of people who continue to act irresponsibly.”
