Norwich street suffering from dog fouling welcomes �80 fines for careless pet owners

The powers, which will come into force in June, will mean Norwich City Council can give �60 on-the-spot fines to dog walkers who fail to clean up, rising to �80 if not paid within ten days.

The fines are increasing from �5 and will be enforced by council employers such as neighbourhood officers and car parking teams.

Hellesdon Road, where anti-dog fouling reminders are to be stencilled onto the pavement, has had a particular problem with dog mess, with walkers taking their animals on to a patch of grass on the banks on the River Wensum.

Green Party ward councillor, Lucy Galvin, pictured, said the street had suffered 'protracted problems'.

Sue Powell, who lives on the street, said: 'There are massive lumps of it all along the pathway.

'I support the idea. I think �80 is enough, but it would be handy if there were dog bins around here.'

Neighbour, Bill Hearing, said: 'People just leave it on the street against the fence.

'The fine should be more than �5 because you have to pay for the cost of someone coming round.'

His 12-year-old son, Scott, said he often treads in the mess outside their home. Another resident on the street, who did not want to be named, added: 'It has been a serious issue for a long time.

'It is a health issue. I have to go and clean it myself, but cannot hose it down at the moment because of the hose pipe ban.'

Norwich City Council's cabinet approved the introduction of a city-wide dog control order last June. The order covers all streets and pavements in the Norwich City Council area and all council-owned land including parks, gardens, sports grounds, cemeteries, and car parks.

The council is asking people to report any dog mess they see on 0344 980 3333 so they can build up a picture of fouling hotspots in the city.

Do you think the council is taking the right action? Write to Evening News Letters, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE or email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk.