Matters Most Foul

12 December 2013

The District Council is urging people to clean up after their dogs, due to increased worries over the unpleasantness of dogs’ waste and the health problems deposited mess provide.

Three Rivers District Council would like to remind all dog owners in the district to clear up after their pets. The number of complaints received regarding dogs’ mess on footpaths has increased recently and some playing fields have also been affected.

The warning has been endorsed by Councillor Brading, public services and health portfolio holder, who said: ”It doesn’t take long to clear up after your dog and it creates a much nicer environment for everyone living, working and playing in the area.”

“A maximum fine of up to £1,000 can be enforced if anyone is caught allowing their dog to foul without clearing it up, however we would really rather people just cleared it up there and then. “

MAD DOG WOMAN OF CHORLEYWOOD RESPONDS…

After reading this I was actually pleased to see that it seems more balanced in that TRD are no longer blaming all the dog mess at the doors of the professional dog walkers. It is still a sad fact that there are people that are totally unaware of the anti social behaviour that they cause by refusing to pick up their pets mess. ( well let’s be honest they are aware they just don’t give a damn – It’s not their grandchild who is going to fall face first into the mess so why should they care) TRD talk about fines – well let’s see some – let’s name and shame.

But TRD have still not faced up to the other problem and that is the actual locations of the Dog Bins, and in some locations the need for bigger bins. – A good part of this problem could be sorted out if they actually took on some advice. I was asked to send in a letter with the exact locations which would resolve some of these problems – No acknowledgement or action has been taken by TRD.

Three Rivers District Council and Chorleywood Parish Council are hoping to introduce orders limiting the number of dogs exercised by professional dog walkers to try and reduce waste but there aare concerns over monitoring and enforcement . Dog walkers insist that there are no recorded problems at present, that the scheme is unnecessary and that dog walkers should be left alone. Two residents comment.

COMMENT

Mel Peel writes to Three Rivers District Council….

My wife and I are dog owners and have lived in Chorleywood for 40 years and with various dogs in Chorleywood for at least 25 years.
We walk twice a day in all weather (sometimes more) on the common, Chorleywood House grounds or Philipshill woods. I can safely say we spend more time on this wonderful green space than most, save for the Rangers. My wife is also a member of the tennis club in Chorleywood House Grounds and I play golf on the common.

Along the way I think we can safely say we meet most dogs and dog walkers who live in and about the village. All are responsible and say they do their best to comply with the clear duty to collect their dogs waste.

We do not require Dog Control Orders.

I along with most responsible dog owners agree that Dog waste is a hazard and should be picked up.
I am amazed however at the suggestion that it is a big big problem on our open spaces! It is not, yes there is the occasional dog poo but in general the common/CW house is clean and free these days from Dog waste.

The Parish has done a good job installing Dog bins, indeed it has been such a success the bin at the Black Horse Pub needed to be replaced recently with a larger one because it kept overflowing. You can’t blame the dog walkers for it being too small.
(A second is required at the Golf Club Car Park at the far end however).

There are a lot of dog owners in Chorleywood and most are responsible. It’s polite requests and continued awareness via the local mags etc that will get the results you wish for, not impositions due to the clear dislike by certain members of the Parish and Three Rivers Council of professional dog walkers and probably ordinary dog walkers like myself and my wife.

Regarding Professional dog walkers which I believe is really the main issue. I for one have noticed a change in their behavior for the better, probably because of the ongoing discussion.
They are being more responsible these days I believe. Even so why not put up some temporary notices just for them and the dog owners who use them? it may work you know!
It would be far more cost effective and less confrontational.

More worrying is a Dog Control Order will point them to Phillips Hill Woods, my wife and I have already seen evidence of this.
Is that what the Council really wants? It would be a great shame to force the Professional Dog walkers onto other spaces. NIMBY perhaps!

Lastly I notice from the council minutes that the proposal is that “existing staff” will police the Dog Control Order if implemented.
Clearly pointing our hard pressed CSO’s in the direction of Chorleywood House Grounds in search of errant dog walkers is hardly the best use of their time when its their job to be keeping order in and about the village. If they are unable to stop the daily littering of the common with plastic bottles, coke cans and crisp packets by our Chorleywood Kids after school what chance do they have following dog walkers waiting for the Poo to happen?

M Peel

Erica Bendall adds…

Chorleywood dog owners feel that they are being hassled by the council with the proposed dog control order. The dog walkers of Chorleywood, whether they be Mrs Smith , or Brenda and her friends with their five dogs or the professional walkers, all have a part to play. The majority of dog walkers pick up their dog poo and there is already a law to deal with those offenders who don’t do so – plus other walkers tend to offer a spare waste bag. Owl (the Online watch link run by our local police) recently asked dog walkers to join a new dog watch asking us to look out for any thing that looks ‘ not right ‘ but we already do that anyway.

E Bendall

Dog waste bags are available free of charge at the Parish Council Offices and Chorleywood Library

Picture Credit: Walking the Dog painted by Jan Munro Tel 01442 266267/ 07414 631995