ISLE of Wight Council’s cabinet has backed plans for responsible dog ownership.
New dog control orders are being introduced which will bar dogs from a number of beaches across the Isle of Wight (excluding St Helens and Seagrove Bay) between 1 May and 30 September and will make it an offence not to have dogs on leads on roads and pavements across the entire Island.
It will also be an offence for someone in charge of a dog to fail to clear up if their pet has fouled the area.
The move comes at a time when nationally the responsibility for tackling problems caused by dogs switches from the police to local authorities.
Last year, Isle of Wight Council geared up for the change by employing two new dog wardens to encourage responsible dog ownership on the Island and to tackle the problem of dog fouling.
From 2nd April 2008, authorised officers of the Council including Town Centre Managers, Dog Wardens, Community Support Officers and staff from Environmental Health are authorised to issue fixed penalty notices ( FPNs) for a range of new offences which result from legislation under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.
The £50 fixed penalty will increase to £75 if it is not paid within 10 days and could be as high as £1,000 if the offence is heard in a magistrates court.
Councillor Diana Tuson Isle of Wight Council cabinet member for safer communities said: “The Isle of Wight has been ahead of the game in tackling problem dogs by employing two new dog wardens last year.
“This new legislation replaces existing by-laws controlling dogs and enables our dog wardens to hand out fixed penalty notices for these offences.
“We are certainly not anti-dog and have taken steps — such as installing new dog bins with plastic bags dispensers and holding regular dog-chipping sessions – to make life easier for owners. But at the same time, we have to balance the needs of pet owners with the needs of visitors and residents to enjoy beaches and public areas safely and healthily.”
