Date: 23/02/2010
A thoughtless dog owner who failed to clean up after his pet has been fined £50.
The on-the-spot penalty was handed out in Whaley Bridge Memorial Park on Thursday 18 February during a three-and-a-half hour patrol mounted by High Peak Borough Council with help from Whaley Bridge Town Council.
The fine was the second fixed penalty notice imposed by the Borough Council in Whaley Bridge in the last six months.
And John Haken, the Borough Council's Executive Councillor for the Environment, warned this week that the local authority would continue to "vigorously enforce" the dog fouling bye-laws and would not hesitate to issue further fines.
The patrol was carried out by Councillor Haken, with town councillor John Goldfinch and two borough council officials.
Split into two teams, they concentrated on the park and reservoir plus Reservoir Road and Goyt Road.
They were responding to complaints of dog fouling in the park, particularly after dark.
Councillor Haken said: "This was the latest in a series of patrols that will continue as long as the problem persists. However, catching the offenders is no easy task - as illustrated by the fact that we issued only one ticket during the operation.
"This is why we need responsible citizens to come forward with the times, dates and locations of offences. Culprits' names are especially useful. We can then target our limited resources as effectively as possible.
"We'll always do our utmost to put a stop to the selfish behaviour of a minority of dog owners. However, the ultimate responsibility lies with the dog owners themselves - they really should know better", he added.
Anyone with information on dog fouling offences should call 0845 129 77 77 or 01298 28400. Callers do not have to give their name.
The latest Whaley Bridge patrol was carried out at the request of the town council.