Dog owners urged to act responsibly
02 Apr 2012 11:45:40
East Ayrshire has a wealth of beautiful green spaces such as parks, gardens and golf courses which residents and visitors alike can enjoy throughout the year. However, this enjoyment of the great outdoors is being marred by the irresponsible behaviour of a small number of local dog owners.
Members of Annanhill Golf Course recently expressed concern about the behaviour of some dog owners who use the course to exercise their dogs and others who do not clean up after their dogs. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code clearly states that dogs should be kept on a lead at all times when crossing a golf course and dog owners have a duty to abide by these rules.
At Dean Castle Country Park there has been an increase in the amount of dog fouling and the number of dog attacks on the park’s animals. The park is used by a large numbers of families every day and dog owners have a responsibility to help keep the area free of dog mess, as dog faeces can prove dangerous for young children. Dogs must be kept on a short lead in the Urban Farm and the surrounding paddocks to protect the birds and livestock.
East Ayrshire Council will take action against irresponsible dog owners and the public are being urged to report instances of dog fouling, with as many details as possible of where and what time of day this is occurring, to the Council’s Corporate Enforcement Team, based within the Environmental Health Service, who will pursue and issue fines to irresponsible owners who refuse to clean up dog mess.
The Environmental Health Service is also responsible for issuing Dog Control Notices (DCNs), which can be used to ensure that dogs are kept under control either by being muzzled or kept on a lead; having the dog micro-chipped for identification purposes and ensuring that the owner attends dog behaviour classes. In extreme cases the Council may apply for an order to have a dog destroyed. Since February 2011 the Council has issued eight – the second highest number of Dog Control Notices (DCN) in Scotland.
If you have any concerns regarding the aggressive behaviour of a dog or have information regarding dog owners not cleaning up after their dog, please contact the Corporate Enforcement Unit: 01563 554007.
For more information on the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, or if you have information about owners not cleaning up after their dog , or to report a dog attack at Dean Castle Country Park, please contact the Rangers: 01563 554734.
If dogs are causing a nuisance on a local municipal golf course, please contact Outdoor Amenities Service Office: 01563 554061.
Please contact Strathclyde Police if you have witnessed a dog attack on a person or another animal.
Background Information
The Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010
This legislation allows the local authority to serve a Dog Control Notice on the owner of a dog where the dog is not being kept under control effectively and consistently, or if its behaviour gives rise to alarm, or apprehensiveness on the part of any individual, and the individual’s alarm or apprehensiveness is, in all circumstances, reasonable. East Ayrshire Council has a number of authorised officers to deal with this type of issue, and welcome any information relating to out of control dogs.
Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
This Act is enforced by the Police, and applies in any place, even in a person’s home, and allows the Police to take action where a dog is dangerously out of control or has attacked.
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