Dog Fouling Fine

gabriel1980

My elderly mum was out walking her dog and stopped to chat to a friend in a park. Unbeknownst to her, the dog did a poo without her noticing. She was then approached by two dog wardens and issued a fixed penalty of £80. I think this is outrageous. Firstly it's WAY too steep. Secondly, as she didn't notice, she offered to go and pick it up, but the fine still stood.


What I want to know is, why on earth would you give a dog warden your actual name and address? What stops you from refusing to answer or giving a false name? I can't believe they can legally detain you. You could just tell me to !!!! off surely?

lewishardwick

Why wasn't she watching the dog? If it was on the lead, I'd expect her to fully notice said dog taking a poop. If off the lead she should be paying much more attention to what the dog is doing. Could have been mauling someone/thing.

GwylimT

A dog must be under control at all times in public places, clearly not the case if she didn't notice it having a poo.

£80 is a very reasonable fine for such a disgusting and selfish act.

Why would you give them your name? Because your a reasonable person who accepts reaponsibility for mistakes, rather than a selfish scumbag.

Engagedtobaz

lewishardwick wrote: »

Why wasn't she watching the dog? If it was on the lead, I'd expect her to fully notice said dog taking a poop. If off the lead she should be paying much more attention to what the dog is doing. Could have been mauling someone/thing.

I am sure that if the dog was mauling someone or something then the owner of the dog would realise.


Not picking up dog mess is something that I do feel very strongly about, but I think in this instance the wardens are being a bit harsh.

Person_one

I expect she'll pay more attention in the future, which is exactly the right result.

Guest101

gabriel1980 wrote: »

My elderly mum was out walking her dog and stopped to chat to a friend in a park. Unbeknownst to her, the dog did a poo without her noticing. She was then approached by two dog wardens and issued a fixed penalty of £80. I think this is outrageous. Firstly it's WAY too steep. Secondly, as she didn't notice, she offered to go and pick it up, but the fine still stood.


What I want to know is, why on earth would you give a dog warden your actual name and address? What stops you from refusing to answer or giving a false name? I can't believe they can legally detain you. You could just tell me to !!!! off surely?

To be clear. No, they cannot legally detain you or touch you in anyway.


It's an offence to give a false name


That said she should keep a closer eye on her dog as the excuse 'I didn't see it' is used very often I suspect

spadoosh

I wouldnt like to pay it.

But then i dont like walking in dog carp either. I'd rather someone pay an £80 fine than me stand in poo irrespective of their reasons for not picking it up.

Out of interest did she go and pick it up or did she just chuck the poo bags at the wardens. At the very least i hope someone picked it up!

sheramber

gabriel1980 wrote: »

My elderly mum was out walking her dog and stopped to chat to a friend in a park. Unbeknownst to her, the dog did a poo without her noticing. She was then approached by two dog wardens and issued a fixed penalty of £80. I think this is outrageous. Firstly it's WAY too steep. Secondly, as she didn't notice, she offered to go and pick it up, but the fine still stood.


What I want to know is, why on earth would you give a dog warden your actual name and address? What stops you from refusing to answer or giving a false name? I can't believe they can legally detain you. You could just tell me to !!!! off surely?

The fine is set by the local council. If you think it is too high you could contact the local councillor
about it.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/218807/dogcontrol-orders.pdf

48 In connection with dog control order
offences, authorised officers of primary
and secondary authorities have the
power to require the name and address
of a person they wish to issue with a
fixed penalty notice. In such cases failure
to supply these details or to give a false
name and address to an authorised
officer is an offence for which a maximum
fine of level 3 (currently £1000) on
the standard scale may be given
upon conviction.

sheramber

and from https://www.gov.uk/guidance/enforcement-officers-issuing-fixed-penalty-notices

Getting the offender’s details

Ask the offender for their details.

Call the police for assistance in the following cases:

the offender refuses to give you their details
you suspect the offender has given you false details

A police community support officer (PCSO) can detain the offender for up to 30 minutes before a police constable arrives.

The offender can be fined an additional amount on top of the FPN, if they refuse to give you details, or provide false details.

[Deleted User]

GwylimT wrote: »

A dog must be under control at all times in public places, clearly not the case if she didn't notice it having a poo.

£80 is a very reasonable fine for such a disgusting and selfish act.

Why would you give them your name? Because your a reasonable person who accepts reaponsibility for mistakes, rather than a selfish scumbag.

Calling someone a "selfish scumbag " is every bit as disgusting as that ladies dog having a call of nature unbeknownst to her. I note you are a cat lover, so when was the last time YOU picked up your cats poo.My garden is a draw to wandering cats who deposit all over in a sneaky way compared to dogs but their excrement is a damn sight fouler than any dog. I have never heard of any cat owner picking up after their cat..the reason..they re not aware where they have deposited it..I really wish cat owners were stung with an £80 fine

thorsoak

I have three labradors - and I always pick up after them. It matters not that I'm waiting for a date for a knee replacement - they are my dogs, my responsibility, and therefore I pick up. To make sure that I don't miss where they go, they aren't allowed off lead (in areas where they can safely be let off lead) until they've pooped.

If you own a dog, you have responsibilities - and I for one hate it when people leave their dog poohs for others to pick up, however elderly they may be. Btw - I'm 73, so not exactly a spring chicken myself.

It's people like your mum who give other dog owners a bad reputation, I'm afraid. "Oh I've used my last bag up" (when they aren't carrying any in the first place) "oh it's alright - I've kicked it into the grass" ....I've heard all the excuses - and I always carry extra bags and when I've offered one I've been told "but I don't know which one Bugsy did".

Disgusting.