I am so pleased that somebody wrote in about the state of our dog fouled pavements and pathways in and around Hertfordshire. I had a letter penned but had not yet submitted it. I am sure I am not alone in finding it totally disgusting that dog owners fai

I am so pleased that somebody wrote in about the state of our dog fouled pavements and pathways in and around Hertfordshire. I had a letter penned but had not yet submitted it.

I am sure I am not alone in finding it totally disgusting that dog owners fail to pick up after their dogs. Do not get me wrong, I am a dog lover and have a couple of the four-legged friends myself.

We are also fortunate to have a green area on our estate which has a dog poo bin on it, a big red thing, one cannot actually miss it, so the mind boggles how one particular owner allows their dogs to foul on the green less than 15 paces away from the poo bin and not pick it up. I wonder if these dog owners are aware that most supermarkets sell disposal nappy bags, it is so easy to just keep a couple of these bags in your pocket when you walk your dogs. Perhaps your paper should publish the page on Dog Fouling taken from Stevenage Borough Council web site copied and pasted below. The 60p cost for poo bags is a totally insignificant amount compared to the £1000 fine imposed by the Council.

Stevenage Borough Council - Environment Page quotes

Dog Fouling

Under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, any person who permits a dog that is in their charge to foul any area to which the public has access is committing an offence.

The Council provides bins in parks and other public areas for use by dog owners. The Council is responsible for monitoring dog fouling and for initiating court proceedings against offenders.

The Council has adopted The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996.The designated land includes roads, footpaths, school playing fields, sports fields and parks. It is an offence for a dog owner not to clean up after their dog in these areas. Failure to comply can result in a prosecution and fine up to £1000. It is no defence to claim ignorance of the dog's actions.

The officers can also issue a fixed penalty ticket - this means that the dog owner must pay a fixed penalty (currently £50) or face legal proceedings.

Solutions: If you have a garden, encourage the dog to go there. You can then bury the mess or alternatively clean it up and bin it. If you walk your dog always carry the means to clear up after your dog. A simple plastic bag will do the trick or obtain poop scoops from a local pet shop. Remember to take a bag or poop scoop like you would remember a lead. Every time your dog fouls then bag it and bin it. Take the poop scoop home and dispose of it there. .

NAME AND ADDRESS WITHHELD