£1,000 fines to end dog problem
Irresponsible dog walkers in a Shropshire town could be slapped with a £1,000 fine if they fail to control their pets.
Ellesmere councillors are looking to bring in a series of measures to tackle problems with dogs in public spaces.
The town council has been told by district council chiefs they have to make new dog control orders after dog fouling laws introduced in 1996 come to an end.
Under new powers, people could face a maximum £1,000 fine and prosecution if they fail to clean up after their pets, do not keep dogs on leads, let their dogs go on land where they are banned or take more than a specified number of pets out on public sites.
But owners who commit an offence may be offered a fixed penalty instead of prosecution.
At last night's full Ellesmere Town Council meeting, members agreed to recommend that the orders are renewed.
They are looking at enforcing the by-law across Ellesmere and hope to post notices on all entrances to the town. Plans to extend the order zone up to the gate at Swan Hill are also under consideration.
A concerned resident raised the issue during public question time, saying he had experienced problems in Cremorne Gardens.
Members were told dogs were rarely on leads, there were no signs warning people of the by-law and pets often jumped up on people, including people in push-chairs and wheelchairs.
