A dog walker in a park
(Picture: PA Archive)A London council has threatened to issue £100 fines for dog walkers who do not produce a dog poo bag on demand.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council is proposing a rule which would require dog walkers to produce a bag or scoop if asked by an official - or face a £100 fixed penalty notice.
Those who did not pay within a certain time frame would be taken to court. The measure does not cover those who have a “reasonable excuse” or those who have certain disabilities.
In a consultation on the plans, the council said it was considering bringing in the requirement after “concerns from residents about the behaviour of some dogs and irresponsible dog owners”.
It added that issues of dog control had or was likely to have had “detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality”.
The requirement contained in a proposed Public Space Protection Order would last for three years and cover all outdoor public areas of land within the borough.
Other rules contained in the order are that dogs would be banned from certain areas in the borough, including children’s playgrounds, and a ‘dogs on leads’ order which would require people to keep their pets on leads in certain areas.
Other proposed powers would allow council officials to order dogs be put on leads if they are being disruptive and a ‘specified maximum’ order to allow for fines to those walking more than the maximum number of permitted dogs at a time.
The order warns: “A person committing an offence will have 14 days to pay the fixed penalty of £100 (or £60 if paid within 7 days), failing which they may be prosecuted.”
A consultation into the proposed rule ends on Sunday, January 15 2023.
