Thoughtless dog owners are being targeted in fresh calls for max on the spot fines.  Liberal Democrats in Oldham Borough want to charge people the maximum allowed by law for those who don’t pick up their dog muck.  Owners who do not observe the law could be fined £100.

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Oldham Council wants the full force of the law to tackle this issue.  He says: “Dog fouling is horrendous; it can make children go blind.  Also, people who fail to control their dogs can have tragic impacts on local residents.”

Councillor Sykes added: “I have raised this with the Deputy Leader and portfolio holder but if nothing happens, like it has before, I will continue to pursue this.  The vast majority of dog owners are responsible.  It is the mindless few that spoil it for everybody.  We need to have zero tolerance with such people”.ENDS/…

Copy of letter:

12 July 2019

Councillor Arooj Shah, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Social Justice and Communities, Oldham Council

Dear Arooj Shah,

Re: Dog Fouling & Nuisance Motion

It is with sadness that I must bring to your attention the dog attack that took place on Saturday the 6 July 2019.  A woman and two children were attacked by an out of control dog in Hollinwood, resulting in serious injuries and the on-site destruction of the animal.

Following this, I must address the Motion that Liberal Democrat Councillor Gloster and Councillor Murphy passed on Wednesday on 20 March 2019 at full council. This Motion resolved to increase the financial penalty for breaching Oldham Borough Council’s Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) from the historic £80 to the proposed £100.

As you know, PSPO & Dog Control Orders can be used to control behaviours which are having or are likely to have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality.  With this in mind, the Council decided to increase the penalty given to those who make Oldham unsafe for the wider community four months ago.  Can you explain why this matter has not progressed?

The Liberal Democrat group have recently suggested a range of advancements in enforcing and increasing the penalty to protect our public spaces, including but not limited to: the defence of Saddleworth Moor from arson attacks.  It goes without saying that in the lambing season this year, a month after the Council motion passed, six sheep have been mauled to death near the Wharmton Mast at Greenfield.  Local press reports that Farmers are looking at lethal alternatives to protect livestock if people cannot control their dogs. Is this the kind of Borough we want to live in?

Considering the recent problems, myself and colleagues recently met with the Dogs Trust, a well-known and respected charity.  The purpose of this meeting was to bring the matter to the attention of the council and its residents, how dogs can improve the physical wellbeing of Oldhamers through exercise, how to clean up after your dog and the health importance of being a hygienic owner, when to and when not to let your dog off the lead and respecting other people and dogs.

Chris Gloster, one of my Shaw Ward colleagues has been active to place more signs regarding dog fouling around the area. The aims of Liberal Democrats and Dogs Trust campaign are simple. We want to encourage the many responsible dog owners recognising the good work they do but also highlight the irresponsible few to think again about how their behaviour impacts on others. 

I think it’s important to add that knowing how to look after your dog properly can improve the area and even go as far as saving someone’s life. I advise the Deputy Leader to give the Council an update on the timetable for implementation of the Motion, if it has not already been addressed and ask what advancements have been made upon current enforcement of the council’s protection orders.

I look forward to receiving your response as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely

Howard Sykes