Warning signs could be used to deter dog fouling (From Knutsford Guardian)
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Warning signs could be used to deter dog fouling
9:00am Monday 4th March 2013 in News
By James Wilson
Signs similar to this one could be put up around Knutsford
DOG fouling warning signs aimed at deterring irresponsible owners could be placed around Knutsford in the wake of recent complaints.
Cheshire East Council spoke out last week after the Guardian revealed only two dog owners had been fined for not cleaning up after their pets in the town in the past year.
Several families have contacted the Guardian about the ‘foul’ habit, saying they are concerned about the health risks to their children.
Knutsford Town Council discussed the matter at its environment committee meeting on February 18.
Clr Stewart Gardiner told the council he had been asked by residents in Thorneyholme Drive about the location of signs urging owners not to let their dogs foul on verges.
He told the committee the signs were from the days of Cheshire County Council.
As a Cheshire East councillor, Clr Gardiner asked officers at the authority, who advised him the town council could buy the adhesive signs – in packs of 100 from them and take control of where they needed to be put up.
“We can then attach them to lampposts and appropriate places,” he said.
Clr Peter Coan said it was a good idea, but questioned their impact.
He said: “There’s no point in putting signs on lampposts if they are unenforceable.
“If they can be policed then fine, but a sign saying ‘please do not foul’ will just create public angst. I’m all for signage but as long as we can get someone to issue on-the-spot fines.”
Town Mayor Clr Vivien Davies said: “I was approached by people around Slade Lane because they are having similar problems, and people are saying it’s happening in their gardens.
“Having had experience of dealing with it on the Moor it’s not easy to catch people, so you have to have somebody watching a certain place so they can see someone coming to the same place regularly.”
Clr Andrew Malloy asked if it should be the job of the borough authority to install the signs, but Clr Gardiner said Cheshire East Council had no money to do it.
Clr Gardiner was asked to come back to the council with sign costings.
