Rugby recruits first volunteer dog wardens
Rugby recruits first volunteer dog wardens
RUGBY Borough Council's crackdown on dog fouling is gathering momentum after the borough’s first volunteer dog wardens signed up.
14 April 2014
Jo Tyler and her pooch Lexi have joined the council's team of volunteer wardens, pledging to report dog owners who fail to clean up after their dog, as well as reporting any litter or fly-tipping that they come across.
In return the council will provide them with laminated signs to display, advice sheets, and contact details for relevant council officers and services.
The scheme was launched after a recent prosecution made possible by evidence provided by a member of the public. The publicity around the case prompted several members of the public to come forward and offer to help the council’s campaign against dog fouling.
Cllr Dr Mark Williams, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for sustainable environment, urged more residents to support the council's campaign and report irresponsible dog owners.
Cllr Dr Williams said: "This council is determined to crackdown on the minority of dog owners who flout the law and damage our environment.
"However, we cannot be everywhere all of the time. That is why it is so important that Jo and Lexi, and others, have come forward to do what is right for Rugby. But we need more residents to help us by reporting incidents of dog fouling and littering, either via our app or by phone or email."
The council receives more than 300 reports of dog fouling a year from residents - and now wants the public's help to catch the culprits.
A high-profile poster campaign has recently been launched, together with the council's new mobile web app - which allows residents to report dog fouling online from a tablet or mobile phone.
Under the borough's dog control orders, dog owners who fail to clean up fouling face an £80 fixed penalty notice. Failure to pay the notice could result in prosecution, with a maximum fine of £1,000.
When reporting dog fouling incidents, residents should include details of when and where the incident took place, together with a description of the dog and/or the owner.
Residents can report dog fouling via the Rugby App at www.rugby.gov.uk/app. Reports can also be made via email to ept@rugby.gov.uk, or by phone: (01788) 533587. Residents can sign up as volunteer dog wardens using the same contact details.
Photo caption: Cllr Dr Mark Williams and Rigby welcome Jo Tyler and Lexi to Rugby's volunteer dog warden team.
In return the council will provide them with laminated signs to display, advice sheets, and contact details for relevant council officers and services.
The scheme was launched after a recent prosecution made possible by evidence provided by a member of the public. The publicity around the case prompted several members of the public to come forward and offer to help the council’s campaign against dog fouling.
Cllr Dr Mark Williams, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for sustainable environment, urged more residents to support the council's campaign and report irresponsible dog owners.
Cllr Dr Williams said: "This council is determined to crackdown on the minority of dog owners who flout the law and damage our environment.
"However, we cannot be everywhere all of the time. That is why it is so important that Jo and Lexi, and others, have come forward to do what is right for Rugby. But we need more residents to help us by reporting incidents of dog fouling and littering, either via our app or by phone or email."
The council receives more than 300 reports of dog fouling a year from residents - and now wants the public's help to catch the culprits.
A high-profile poster campaign has recently been launched, together with the council's new mobile web app - which allows residents to report dog fouling online from a tablet or mobile phone.
Under the borough's dog control orders, dog owners who fail to clean up fouling face an £80 fixed penalty notice. Failure to pay the notice could result in prosecution, with a maximum fine of £1,000.
When reporting dog fouling incidents, residents should include details of when and where the incident took place, together with a description of the dog and/or the owner.
Residents can report dog fouling via the Rugby App at www.rugby.gov.uk/app. Reports can also be made via email to ept@rugby.gov.uk, or by phone: (01788) 533587. Residents can sign up as volunteer dog wardens using the same contact details.
Photo caption: Cllr Dr Mark Williams and Rigby welcome Jo Tyler and Lexi to Rugby's volunteer dog warden team.