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| Sefton Coast Partnership | Shoreline Management | Nature and Wildlife | Coastal Heritage | Visiting the Coast | Students and Teachers | Coastlines | |
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Winter 2005Dog Fouling on dune footpaths - visitor impact.Dog fouling is consistently one of the highest sources of complaints by the public to MPs, local councillors and local authorities. Estimates put the UK dog population between 6.5 and 7.4 million, producing 1,000 tonnes of faeces every day.
Hundreds of dogs are being walked across the coast each day without problem as their conscientious owners keep them under control and clean up after them. However, these owners are let down by a minority who continue to refuse to take responsibility for their dogs.
Reg Yorke,
Formby Civic
Society said, Since the Dogs (Fouling of Land Act) 1996 the law has become clearer and this should be helpful in tackling the problem. Current official attitudes are as follows:-
There are plenty of discrete notices at major dune access points together with appropriate litter bins but the actual use of appropriate disposal seems at present very low. Free dog waste disposal bags are available from Sefton Coast and Countryside Service. Is there a case for tightening up the regulations regarding dog control? Should everyone now become more pro-active in helping educate, prevent and if necessary punish offenders?
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Dog fouling on coastal
footpaths is still a considerable
problem in some areas despite
the introduction of the dog fouling
act in 1996.
Sefton Council; “the whole of
the Sefton Coast is designated
land under the 1996 Act. On
this it is an offence for an
owner or keeper of a dog to
fail to clear up after their dog
has fouled. Failure to comply
can result in a prosecution and
a fine of up to £1,000. It is not
a defence to claim that you
did not know or were not there
when the dog fouled. Never
let your dog out alone”. Dog
wardens patrol throughout Sefton.