Anger as Lancaster square is used as '˜dog toilet'

Residents in Park Square off Moorgate say that walkways, grassed areas and plant beds are full of the stuff, fouling up the standard of living for those that live there.

Brown soggy patches are becoming increasingly common, and plants and spring shoots are being trampled by “irresponsible, disrespectful and anti-social” dog owners, according to Park Square resident Robert McKittrick.

Lancaster City Council say that they are investigating, and have noted a number of badly fouled areas across the district, including Greaves Park in Lancaster, grass verges in Middleton Road, Heysham and back alleys in the West End of Morecambe.

Mr McKittrick said: “Dog fouling is simply unacceptable and it seems as if most who allow of it in the neighbourhood in which I live do not live in that neighbourhood.

“Park Square is not a dog toilet and nor are any other areas elsewhere in our city.”

Mr McKittrick said he had asked for figures on the number of prosecutions for dog fouling in the district.

The council told him that since January 1 2014, just 13 fixed penalty notices had been issued for alleged fouling offences.

Of these, seven have been paid, four have not been paid and not prosecuted due to false details being given or the council not being able to trace the alleged offender, and two are unpaid and under consideration for prosecution.

Mr McKittrick added: “I know Lancaster City Council is strapped for cash but there is money allocated for specific purposes including dealing with dog fouling within our city limits.

“That falls within existing anti dog fouling legislation which our city council must respect and implement.

No doubt all this results from the misconduct of a minority of dog owners, dog walkers and dog handlers who are irresponsible, disrespectful and anti-social as well as arguably mindless.”

Coun Karen Leytham, Cabinet member with responsibility for environmental services, said: “Although every effort is being made to catch people who refuse to pick up after their dogs, dealing with strays and other types of dog related offences across the whole district, means that it is extremely difficult for our officers to be in the right place at the right time to witness and deal with such offences.

“At present there are a number of badly-fouled areas requiring our attention, hence the importance of residents being our eyes and ears in our bid to catch the culprits of dog fouling. “All the information provided by residents in helping us to catch the culprits will be held in strictest confidence.”

To report an offence call 01524 582757 or email [email protected].