Report shows way forward on dog fouling

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 6th Apr 2009

A report setting out how Leeds should deal with the issue of dog fouling has been welcomed by a senior Liberal Democrat councillor.

The scrutiny board statement on the enforcement of dog fouling was considered by Leeds City Council's Executive Board on Wednesday 1st April. It makes a number of recommendations about how the council should proceed with implementing dog control orders. These are new powers that enable councils to issue fixed penalty notices for offences such as dog fouling and failing to keep a dog on a lead.

Recommendations in a number of areas were accepted by senior officers in charge of the service. These include:

· Working with town and parish councils to use dog control orders effectively in their areas.

· Establishing a limit on the number of dogs that can be walked by an individual at any one time.

· Reviewing staffing resources to ensure the service is adequately supported.

Cllr Jamie Matthews (Lib Dem, Headingley), Lead Member for Environmental Services welcomed the report said:

"There is never any excuse for anyone to allow their dog to foul the footpath and I am pleased the council takes the issue seriously.

"The scrutiny board looked at the issue with a fresh pair of eyes and suggested a number of ways in which things could be improved.

"I am pleased with the positive reception the issue has received from officers in the department and I look forward to them taking the recommendations forward."