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| Top of the poops: Barnsley scoops 8% of all UK dog fouling fines Top of the poops: Barnsley scoops 8% of all UK dog fouling fines | |
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| Barnsley borough council handed out nearly 10% of all dog fouling fines across Britain last year, research has shown. | Barnsley borough council handed out nearly 10% of all dog fouling fines across Britain last year, research has shown. |
| The figures reveal that local authorities issued 2,099 fines for dog fouling, totalling £120,359, in the first half of this year, and 4,451 fines, totalling nearly £250,000, in 2015. | The figures reveal that local authorities issued 2,099 fines for dog fouling, totalling £120,359, in the first half of this year, and 4,451 fines, totalling nearly £250,000, in 2015. |
| Of the fines in 2015, 8% (359) were handed out by Barnsley council, which oversees a population of around 230,000 in South Yorkshire. Denbighshire council in north Wales was the second most diligent council when it came to punishing errant dog owners that year, handing out 233 fines, and Hinckley and Bosworth district council came in third place, handing out 216. | Of the fines in 2015, 8% (359) were handed out by Barnsley council, which oversees a population of around 230,000 in South Yorkshire. Denbighshire council in north Wales was the second most diligent council when it came to punishing errant dog owners that year, handing out 233 fines, and Hinckley and Bosworth district council came in third place, handing out 216. |
| The total number of fines last year was 7% lower than 2014, when 4,781 were handed out and £259,426 collected. Prit Powar, head of Direct Line pet insurance, which conducted the research, said the figures were evidence that owners were becoming more conscientious when clearing up after their dogs. | The total number of fines last year was 7% lower than 2014, when 4,781 were handed out and £259,426 collected. Prit Powar, head of Direct Line pet insurance, which conducted the research, said the figures were evidence that owners were becoming more conscientious when clearing up after their dogs. |
| Charlie Wraith, a Barnsley Labour councillor for the Cudworth ward, said the council was good at issuing fines because dog fouling was of particular concern to the local community. | Charlie Wraith, a Barnsley Labour councillor for the Cudworth ward, said the council was good at issuing fines because dog fouling was of particular concern to the local community. |
| “We have meetings with local residents and the top of their agenda is litter, dog fouling and parking, so we take on board what residents are telling us: do something about it. So we are doing something about it,” he said. | “We have meetings with local residents and the top of their agenda is litter, dog fouling and parking, so we take on board what residents are telling us: do something about it. So we are doing something about it,” he said. |
| “It’s a pet hate of mine. I hate to see irresponsible dog owners leaving the dog dirt when the dog has fouled. So the more that it is prosecuted, the better. It will probably make the irresponsible dog owners conform and pick it up.” | “It’s a pet hate of mine. I hate to see irresponsible dog owners leaving the dog dirt when the dog has fouled. So the more that it is prosecuted, the better. It will probably make the irresponsible dog owners conform and pick it up.” |
| Wraith recently lost his wife, Marilyn, and said there was a problem with dog fouling in the cemetery in which she is buried. “I’ve just had some signs erected in the cemetery in my area regarding this particular issue,” he says. “It is very important to people.” | Wraith recently lost his wife, Marilyn, and said there was a problem with dog fouling in the cemetery in which she is buried. “I’ve just had some signs erected in the cemetery in my area regarding this particular issue,” he says. “It is very important to people.” |
| The research shows that the councils that received the highest number of reports of dog fouling did not necessarily hand out the highest number of fines. Durham county council received 2,766 reports of dog fouling in 2015 but only handed out 67 fines, accounting for 2.4% of reports. In comparison, Barnsley borough council fined 58% of those reported. | The research shows that the councils that received the highest number of reports of dog fouling did not necessarily hand out the highest number of fines. Durham county council received 2,766 reports of dog fouling in 2015 but only handed out 67 fines, accounting for 2.4% of reports. In comparison, Barnsley borough council fined 58% of those reported. |
| Scotland was the region to hand out the most fines for dog fouling offences in 2015 (863). The north-west of England (698) and Yorkshire and Humberside (623) were second and third respectively, while the south-west (178), London (160) and the east of England (110) handed out the fewest fines. | Scotland was the region to hand out the most fines for dog fouling offences in 2015 (863). The north-west of England (698) and Yorkshire and Humberside (623) were second and third respectively, while the south-west (178), London (160) and the east of England (110) handed out the fewest fines. |
| Dog fouling orders are governed by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 which allows local authorities to set out public space protection orders (PSPOs) for certain areas, instructing owners to clear up after their dogs. If a PSPO is ignored, dog owners can be given an on-the-spot fine of between £50 and £80, or up to £1,000 if it goes to court. | Dog fouling orders are governed by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 which allows local authorities to set out public space protection orders (PSPOs) for certain areas, instructing owners to clear up after their dogs. If a PSPO is ignored, dog owners can be given an on-the-spot fine of between £50 and £80, or up to £1,000 if it goes to court. |