Nearly 100 new litter bins will be installed in Wokingham in a bid to control the problem of dog poo
advertisement
More bins added to combat dog poo stench
By Alice MurphyJuly 02, 2009
Nearly 100 new litter bins will be installed in Wokingham in a bid to control the foul problem of dog poo filling bins to the brim.
Wokingham Borough Council’s executive committee was quizzed on the unpopular decision to scrap 245 dog waste bins at a meeting last Thursday.
Dog walkers were left fuming in March when the bins were removed without consultation and complaints have since been pouring in to The Wokingham Times of overflowing litter bins.
1,000 call for return of dog poo bins
Some people have reported bagged dog waste being left strewn on the pavement and next to bins that are full.
The council has promised to continue monitoring the situation with overflowing bins.
Dog walker threatens dirty protest over bins
Councillor Simon Weeks, executive member for the environment at the council, admitted mistakes had been made but said responsibility should ultimately lie with dog owners.
He reiterated dog owners are responsible for looking after their pet’s waste.
He said: “The initial implementation was unsatisfactory but a full apology was given.
“The council acted quickly to erect signage and dog walkers very quickly adapted and we have no evidence to support the statement that it has led to increased fouling.”
His comments were in response to Cllr Jenny Lissaman’s question at the meeting at the council’s Shute End offices.
Cllr Lissaman asked: “Has the executive reviewed the disastrous implementation of the policy to remove dog waste bins which left dog owners in the dark about how to dispose of dog waste, leading to increased dog fouling in parks and on pavements?”
Cllr Weeks answered: “So far as fouling on pavements is concerned, it should be remembered it remains the responsibility of the dog owners.”
He added 90 additional bins have been put in across the borough and that each bin had a sign to remind owners they could put pet waste in general rubbish bins.
A petition to call for the bins’ reinstatement is being prepared and has more than 1,000 signatures so far.
The Wokingham Times has also discovered no dog owner has been fined for allowing a dog to foul in a public place for seven years.
The council’s animal warden Mandy Dorman carries out surveillance on dog fouling hotspots, but has not caught anyone in the act since 2002.
The council is renewing authorisation cards for countryside rangers and officers so they can slap £50 fines on owners who allow their dogs to foul in parks and along pavements.
Fixed penalty fines can be issued if dogs are seen fouling country parks, sports playing fields, roads, play areas and roads.
If the case goes to court, the fine can be up to £1,000.
It is available in pet shops and newsagents across the borough, and online at http://www.gopetition.co.uk/online/26734.
Browse Sections
Most recent user comments 7 of 7
Providing more bins isn't going to solve the problem as dog excrement in itself is very smelly and unless bins have totally covered lids they are still going to whiff!
Unfortunately the council are unabe increase collections to twice a week because if they do the whole budgetary reasons for removing the bins goes out the window.
Neil Carr of Neighbourhood Services has already stated ''During April 2009 (while the new arrangements were settling down) the frequency of collection was increased from once to twice per week. As a result, a one-off cost of £2,400 was incurred''. If you amertize this cost up and take into account the council have already increased the number of bins since then, the savings are in fact negligable and this whole upsetting fracus has been a complete waste of rate payers money.
4/07/2009 at 14:37 Offensive or Inappropriate?
Please let us know the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.
Classic, what a job to have, watching animals dropping a deuce HAHAHAHA
2/07/2009 at 22:31 Offensive or Inappropriate?
Please let us know the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.
2/07/2009 at 21:41 Offensive or Inappropriate?
Please let us know the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.
2/07/2009 at 17:25 Offensive or Inappropriate?
Please let us know the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.
2/07/2009 at 16:13 Offensive or Inappropriate?
Please let us know the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.
2/07/2009 at 14:08 Offensive or Inappropriate?
Please let us know the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.
If I had a dog I would take it round to Simon Weeks' house and let it drop anchor in his front garden.
2/07/2009 at 12:55 Offensive or Inappropriate?
Please let us know the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.