Residents complain of 'noticeable increase' in amount of dog mess

Not a pleasant subject and not a pleasant problem to have to deal with - especially if the poop does not belong to your pooch! Residents have complained about a 'noticeable increase' the amount of dog mess on Chiswick pavements.

The Glebe estate has historically been one of the worst affected areas however, recently it has been residents of Acton Green and Bedford Park that have been protesting.

After highlighting the issue to Ealing Council, an Acton Green resident explained: "You need to report each incident for them [the Council] to be able to see that there is a problem with this in a specific area."

She continued:"What I didn't realise is that when you report it apparently they will send someone to clean it up within the hour. You can call them on 020 88256000 and the call was answered very quickly, alternatively you can register it online. Can anyone else living in this area, that sees dog mess, report it too so that we can have cleaner streets?"

After a polite attempt to take matters into his own hands, a Bedford Park resident found himself the victim of revengeful dog owner. He said: "People may have noticed those ubiquitous plastic bags (quite often blue) full of dog excrement left at the base of trees, road signs and the like in various parts of Bedford Park. As this has happened outside our property on a number of occasions, I have left polite notices requesting whoever is doing this kindly to take the bags home with them. I thought this had had the desired effect, but last Thursday I noticed one of these bags was there again outside our property. I removed the bag and attached a notice to the tree stating that this was inconsiderate (no ranting) and would the person concerned kindly take the waste home.

"The next morning I noticed a bag left somewhat provocatively in the middle of the road outside our property. I removed it in the usual way. But later that morning, collecting our milk bottles from the plastic cooler supplied by the milkman, I saw that dog excrement had been placed in the container and also smeared round the rim. I'm sure it's no one we know with a dog, but it does demonstrate there's someone with a rather spiteful streak in the area."

Since 1 September 2002 all public land (ie pavements, grass verges, parks and open spaces) is covered by the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. An offence is committed under the Act if a person in charge of a dog fails to clean up after the animal has fouled in public open land, including the public highway. The offence carries a maximum fine of £1,000. Fixed penalty notices of £50 can be issued, which the offender can pay within 14 days, or have the case heard at the Magistrates Courts.

February 21, 2011