Gosport council to open consultation over dog mess problem

A COUNCIL is set to hold a consultation to clamp down on dog owners who do not clean their muck up after them.

Gosport Borough Council’s Community Board has approved the recommendation to open up a discussion for a potential Public Space Protection Order.

One provision in the order would be to ban dogs from all public sports pitches at any given period, as well as those in charge having to have the appropriate means to pick up after them.

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It could also potentially see dog walkers be able to have a maximum of four canines with them in a public place.

Government guidelines say that six dogs should be the limit but the board voted in favour of changing it to four.

Councillor Marcus Murphy, vice chairman of the board, said: ‘There has been a lot of concern council have had a lot of complaints regarding dog mess and also dogs who are off their leads.

‘Dog mess on football pitches can be dangerous for people who play on the sports fields. It is the muck as well as what is left behind.

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Cllr Mark Hook, leader of the council, said: ‘I think that it is something that is needed in Gosport.

‘I receive a lot of complaints about dog faeces on sport pitches across the area and it is not pleasant for them.

‘The vast majority of dog owners do take responsibility.

‘It is only the small minority that we are trying to control.’

Brockhurst Cllr Rob Hylands commented that dog mess is the second most frequent issue people contact him about.

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Enforcement officers would be able to enforce penalties to anyone caught breaking the rules, which would be a £100 fine, reduced to £50 if paid in the first week.

The council say if people chose to ignore the fine, they could end up with a £1000 charge and the case could be taken to court.