OWNERS could be in the doghouse — and facing fines of up to £1,000 — if a new crackdown on dog poo in Torbay goes ahead.
They could be hit in the pocket for not carrying poo bags while walking their pooch — even if their dog has not fouled.
A new offence is being created which could see owners fined £100 for not carrying a means of disposing of doggy left overs, with the potential of a £1,000 court fine if left unpaid.
And it will apply even if your dog has left no deposits, with enforcement officers able to ask dog owners to prove they can clean up after their pets.
The measure has already been introduced by Daventry Council in Northamptonshire and will come into force on December 1.
If successful the measure could be adopted by other councils across the country, including Torbay.
Torbay Council is currently trialling private litter wardens and the dog poo bag law may be one it looks at, said Cllr Robert Excell, executive lead for community services.
He told a full council meeting Daventry expects the new measures to have taken a year to bring into force in its area and it had involved significant resources, including public consultation and new signage.
"This would be a new offence, even if the dog has not fouled," he said.
However, he said there are some issues to be tested, for example if an owner had bags at the beginning of their walk and picked up the mess responsibly, and disposed of the bags properly, would they still be committing an offence if they did not have any spare bags?
"Technically they have committed an offence though they have acted responsibly," said Cllr Excell (pictured). "However, if asked by an officer they would have no proof that they had bags with them initially.
"There are some legal challenges which may arise from this approach."
He said the range of options for the future would be considered at the end of the year-long trial.
After the meeting, Cllr Excell said: "We will be looking at all options and this could be something we look at.
"We want to deter litter and dog mess on our streets and it seems to be working.
"I have not seen nearly as much as there used to be. Dog walkers seem to have got the message.
"If you take your dog out you have to take your lead and collar, why shouldn't you have to have something to pick up the mess?
"You are less likely to leave it there if you have a bag with you."
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"The dog did nothing in the night-time."
"The dog did nothing in the night-time."
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
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oldr_n_wsr
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Re: "The dog did nothing in the night-time."
When I was growing up, everyone stepped in dog poo from time to time. The law at the time was "Curb Your Dog". Nothing like using a stick to clean out all the nooks and crannies of your sneakers. What's this world coming too?????
Re: "The dog did nothing in the night-time."
There are weatherproof baggie pouches that attach right to the dog's leash and which hold a half dozen baggies for clean-up; I had one on my dog's leash when I lived in D.C. It's not that hard to have the means of disposal at hand at all times - you just have to remember to keep the pouch filled.
It's like car insurance, no? You have to be able to prove that you have it, even if you don't need it that day.
It's like car insurance, no? You have to be able to prove that you have it, even if you don't need it that day.
For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
~ Carl Sagan
~ Carl Sagan
Re: "The dog did nothing in the night-time."
True BSG, but should we also be fined for not having a handkerchief in case we sneeze/cough on the bus or subway? Where do we draw the line?
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MajGenl.Meade
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Re: "The dog did nothing in the night-time."
Well, Big RR, if you don't know the difference between a pile of dog poo and you sneezing then I'm sorry for Ms. Big RR.
For Christianity, by identifying truth with faith, must teach-and, properly understood, does teach-that any interference with the truth is immoral. A Christian with faith has nothing to fear from the facts
Re: "The dog did nothing in the night-time."
Laugh all you want, but I'd rather step in a steaming pile of fresh dog poo (before Divine gets to it even ) than be sneezed or coughed on by someone with active TB. But you can make your own choice about that.
) than be sneezed or coughed on by someone with active TB. But you can make your own choice about that.-
MajGenl.Meade
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Re: "The dog did nothing in the night-time."
Must be hell facing those kinds of challenges each and every day, Big RR. Glad I don't have to go leaping into dog poo just to avoid someone with a cough.
If you teeter along the top of the fence you should be above both though, neh?
If you teeter along the top of the fence you should be above both though, neh?
For Christianity, by identifying truth with faith, must teach-and, properly understood, does teach-that any interference with the truth is immoral. A Christian with faith has nothing to fear from the facts
Re: "The dog did nothing in the night-time."
Maybe, maybe not. But I'm sure I have the best seat. After all, I don't always have to be on the right side every time like you.
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MajGenl.Meade
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Re: "The dog did nothing in the night-time."
Big RR wrote:Maybe, maybe not. But I'm sure I have the best seat. After all, I don't always have to be on the right side every time like you.
For Christianity, by identifying truth with faith, must teach-and, properly understood, does teach-that any interference with the truth is immoral. A Christian with faith has nothing to fear from the facts
Re: "The dog did nothing in the night-time."
NeadyBig RR wrote:Maybe, maybe not. But I'm sure I have the best seat. After all, I don't always have to be on the right side every time like you.
Soon, I’ll post my farewell message. The end is starting to get close. There are many misconceptions about me, and before I go, to live with my ancestors on the steppes, I want to set the record straight.