Careless dog owners facing fines (From Falmouth Packet)

Careless dog owners facing fines

12:20pm Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in Falmouth/Penryn By Greg Fountain, Reporter/Photographer

Careless dog walkers in two of Falmouth’s green spaces could face hefty fines from next week if they refuse to control their animals.

The town council will be installing signs in Kimberley Park and Falmouth Cemetery warning users that anyone who does not put their dog on a lead when asked to do so by an “authorised officer” will face an £80 on-the-spot penalty notice or prosecution and a maximum £1,000 fine.

Authorised officers range from the park’s gardeners to PCSOs, who will ask owners to control their dogs if they are causing a nuisance to other people.

The move follows complaints from residents using the park and cemetery, who have said that dogs running around off their leads spoil their enjoyment of these areas.

Single mum Vicki Barton was walking her dog in the park shortly after the scheme’s launch on Monday.

She said it would be “fair enough” if she was asked to put her dog on a lead and that the real problem is caused by irresponsible dog owners and those who let their animals loose in the children’s play area.

Increasing limitations on the places where people can walk their animals was another of her concerns.

She said: “It would be good if there was an exercise area for dogs because I think otherwise it’s unfair.”

Town councillor David Sterratt, chairman of the Finance and General Purposes Committee, said the council hoped the action would make dog owners more responsible and aware of other |people using the same areas as them.

He said: “If this initiative fails then we will have to consider taking further steps, which may mean banning dogs from these open spaces.”