Going to the dogs

These remarks have been reported recently to me as a ward councillor.

Is this a national problem or just one that residents locally are now experiencing? According to my fellow Lib-Dem colleague, River ward councillor Ian Buckland, this has been an ongoing issue throughout the town, with the East Bank walkway especially afflicted.

While incidents have been reported on numerous occasions, he feels that without the support services in place or the general public prepared to name and shame, these anti-social dog owners won't ever get caught.

While residents have reported an increase in the incidence of dogs' mess that has not been cleared up by dog owners, this is not simply confined to pavements and alleyways throughout the town, but also appears to be happening in parks and open spaces, where dogs are being let off the lead to roam free.

I was under the impression that the overwhelming majority of dog owners had changed their habits by using bags to remove their dogs' mess and depositing the bags in bins provided for this purpose.

However, for some unknown reason, some have been using the bags and then throwing them into bushes and onto branches.

Furthermore, some dog-walkers are allowing their pets to create health hazards, particularly for children on sports pitches, in parks, on paths.

It is very disappointing that people have such an apparent lack of concern for their fellow residents.

The true dog lovers I know would never walk away from the responsibility of clearing up after their pets.

Having received many reports from residents of a surge in dogs' mess appearing on pavements and alleyways throughout the town, I am really concerned that the chickens are beginning to come home to roost regarding front-line services being affected so soon after Conservative-controlled Arun District Council made cutbacks to such an important service.

Only by having a decent number of dog wardens will offenders be caught and issued with on-the-spot fines, as well as there being a sufficient deterrent to owners of offending dogs.

Nick Wiltshire, Town Council Lib-Dem group leader

Kendal Close, Littlehampton

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