FED-UP residents are appealing for a change in policy to allow communities to crack down on dog fouling throughout Northumberland.
People living in Cramlington have supported proposals by councillor Wayne Daley to review the way Northumberland County Council tackles the problem, which has blighted the county for some time.
Currently there are 36 officers operating throughout the whole district who have the power to issue fines to perpetrators, but Coun Daley is urging a complete overhaul of the procedures in a bid to allow residents to undergo training to become officers.
He said: “When I have been out talking to people two things came out. First, they generally know the individuals who are doing it and secondly if they do pick it up, they’re sticking it in a bag, walking along and then flinging it in a bush.
“The council have said it has 29 enforcement officers but I’m yet to meet any in Cramlington, and by nature of the by-law they literally have got to stand there and watch the dog foul with his owner present in order to serve the penalty.”
As it stands officers have to be duly authorised by the council and the offence has to be witnessed by the investigating officer and legally documented for a fixed penalty fine of £75 to be issued.
Cramlington North Conservative Coun Daley believes that a process where residents can be the eyes and ears on the ground will boost the chances of catching offenders and the appropriate action can then be taken.
