Views Sought Over New Dog Control Order

North Norfolk District Council is seeking residents' views over proposals to simplify the dog fouling rules across the District.

Under powers introduced by the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, the District Council wants to sweep away the confusion of where it is an offence to fail to clear up after a dog, and where it is not, by replacing the existing controls with a single order that ensures people clean up after their dogs wherever they are.

The proposed 'Fouling of Land by Dogs (North Norfolk District Council) Order' would make it an offence for anyone to fail to clean up after their dogs on any area of public land in North Norfolk (like sports fields, parks and play areas), punishable by an on-the-spot fixed penalty of £80 or a fine of £1000 on prosecution.

The consultation closes on 3 August, 2007. To view the proposed order, visit:
www.northnorfolk.org/environmentalhealth/default_193.asp and follow the link to download the document. Responses should be sent to Mark Whitmore, Environmental Protection Team Leader, North Norfolk District Council, Holt Road, Cromer, Norfolk, NR27 9EN or by email to: ep@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Two separate orders came into force in May this year, governing where dogs are allowed on North Norfolk beaches, and the leads they must be kept on if they are walked along public promenade or foreshore access areas.

One keeps dogs away from the sections of beach at Bacton, Cromer, Mundesley, Overstrand, Sea Palling, Sheringham, Walcott and West Runton that are most heavily used by families. The other rules that dogs being walked on the promenades and public access ways near those beaches must be kept on a lead of no more than 1.8 metres. Full details of the precise locations covered by these orders is available on the Council's website: www.northnorflolk.org/environmentalhealth

These two orders apply from May to September every year, and the penalties for non-compliance are the same as above for the proposed fouling order. Dogs have been banned from several stretches of beach in the summer months for many years, and again the new orders simplify the old rules.

Councillor Brian Hannah, Cabinet Member for Environmental Health, said: "Dog fouling is at best unpleasant, and can be downright dangerous. Dog owners have a duty to ensure that their dogs do not cause a nuisance, whether by fouling or by running loose, but that is nothing new. The District Council is, above all, seeking to make it clear to people what their responsibilities are.

ENDS