Every dog owner’s duty

For a while now the residents of our parishes have been complaining about the anti-social behaviour of some youths in the area, while at the same time, others who should know better have been at it as well!

Let’s not beat around the bush, dog mess is the unpleasant but unavoidable by-product of owning a dog.

It is every owner’s moral duty and legal responsibility to clean up after their dog.  They must also carry a poop bag or other means to
clean up after their dog.

The Public Space Protection Order means that irresponsible dog owners risk a £100 fixed penalty notice (FPN) and potential prosecution.  For details folllow this link.

An offence is committed if a person in charge of a dog fails to clean up its faeces in an area where the Dogs Fouling of Land Act 1996 applies. That is in a public place or private place where the public have access. (There are certain exemptions).

Following a rise in the number of complaints of dog fouling in the village the Malvern Hills District Council’s Street Scene team will be targeting the area in an effort to promote and enforce responsible dog ownership.

BE A RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER

* Always remember to carry a poop scoop bag.

* Always clean up after your dog. (This includes your own back garden. Sec 80 EPA Act 1990)

* Your dog should be taken out to exercise, not foul.

* Teach your dog to foul in your garden.

* Worm your dog – dogs that are not wormed regularly can carry infections.

* Encourage other dog owners to do the same.

For further information please contact Paul Hine, Animal Welfare Officer 01684 862151

‘In-Lamb’ Ewe Dies After Dog Attack

All dog-owners in South Worcestershire are being urged by police to keep their pets on a lead when near sheep.

“A vast number of sheep are expecting to lamb across Malvern Hills, Wychavon and Worcester at this time of the year and a predatory loose dog is probably the worst thing that they could possibly face,” said a police spokesman.

“Pregnant sheep are very vulnerable and are quite likely to ‘drop’ the lamb – give birth prematurely in a distressed state – if they are ‘worried’ by a stray dog, let alone attacked as happened in this case.”

Walking Your Dog in the Countryside