Council clamps down on dog fouling in Rhondda Cynon Taf

A further 12 Fixed Penalty Notices were issued across Rhondda Cynon Taf last week in relation to dog control offences – as the Council continues to enforce the rules which are in place to prevent dog fouling.

Rhondda Cynon Taf is home to countryside landscapes and open spaces which are there for the enjoyment of all residents, and the Council takes a zero-tolerance approach to actions which spoil these areas – including dog fouling and fly tipping. Dedicated Streetcare officers carry out regular patrols and will continue to issue enforcement notices for these types of offences.

We continue to ask residents to simply love where they live by cleaning up after their dogs, Bag IT and Bin IT, and stick to the rules which have been in place since October 2017. Dogs are banned from schools, children’s play areas and marked sports pitches, and must be kept on a lead in cemeteries.

In the week commencing Monday, March 22, a total of 12 Fixed Penalty Notices were issued to irresponsible dog owners. These included nine for dogs being in restricted areas, and three for dog fouling offences.

In addition, there were two interviews arranged this week under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 for suspected fly-tipping offences – but on both occasions the resident failed to turn up. The Council is serious about this issue, and while on this occasion the interviews will be re-arranged, failure to turn up for a second time will result in court proceedings being started.

Nigel Wheeler, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Group Director – Prosperity, Development and Frontline Services, said: “This is the second recent update that the Council has provided to inform residents of its ongoing enforcement action against irresponsible dog owners, as well as those caught littering and fly tipping. Following the 21 Fixed Penalty Notices issued in the week commencing March 15, a further 12 were issued for offences last week.

“Dog owners have a responsibility to clean up after their pets, and adhere to the rules that are in place for the benefit of everyone who enjoys using the open spaces in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Most dog owners act responsibly, and we continue to thank them for their cooperation – while our enforcement action will continue to target the minority of residents in the County Borough who don’t follow the rules and whose actions are a blight on the environment.”