ILMINSTER NEWS: Council wants YOUR VIEWS on dogs

ILMINSTER Town Council is bracing itself for being accused of dividing a community as it begins a controversial consultation process on what to do about the control of dogs in the town.

The council wants to hear YOUR views about dogs in the town – regardless of whether you are a dog owner or not.

The council is aware of the views being expressed by residents, including on social media, over the fouling of public open spaces by dogs. This can be on the recreation grounds, on Herne Hill or on the streets.

So the council is carrying out a comprehensive survey to try and find a fair way for all to try and tackle the issue. The aim is to incorporate a dog policy for Ilminster into a new Public Space Protection Order for South Somerset which is being revised by South Somerset District Council this year.

The aim of the order is to protect public health and public amenities such as open spaces at the Rec, sports pitches on the playing fields - but at the same time to try and find a way that dog owners can still adequately exercise their pets. 

Dog fouling on sports pitches is a particular issue - this can cause blindness and even death, especially in young children. Another issue is whether the children’s play area should be fenced off and segregated from all dogs.

A council spokesman said: “It is clear that there is a problem and it is not fair on our children, our sports men and women and our open spaces staff to be faced with this illegal practice and its inherent dangers.

“The council stresses, however, that these are ideas for discussion, they are NOT decisions - it is an exercise to find out views so that we have a wide consensus of option before taking any decisions.”

People have been asked to remember that there is no quick fix to this problem, which will cost the council - and that is YOU the council tax payer - considerable finances to put into action what could involve items such as fencing, extra bins and extra staff.

A leaflet and questionnaire is being produced by the council and will be available shortly for people to take away, read and answer – but the Ilminster Press has been given a sneak preview of the questions which will be asked.

The questionnaire will soon be available from the council and in local shops and completed surveys will need to be sent to Ilminster Town Council’s offices in North Street, Ilminster, in an envelope marked Dog Policy Survey.

The questions are as follows:

ILMINSTER DOG POLICY SURVEY:

1 Are you a dog owner?

2 Do you think there is a dog fouling problem in Ilminster?

3 Do you think dogs should be kept on a lead at all times on all of the town’s open spaces?

3 Or do you think some areas should be free of dogs and others where dogs can roam off the lead but under control? Please think carefully about this question and bear in mind where children’s allocated play areas and any formal sports pitches are situated. Please give details.

4 For the protection of children from fouling and from potential attacks, should dogs be prevented from access to some areas? Give specific areas if possible.

5 Do you think the children’s play area in the north east of the Rec should be fenced off and no dogs allowed inside?

6 Do you think there is problem with dog fouling of official formal sports pitches at the central recreation area?

7 Do you think there are enough dog bins in the town?

8 If the answer to 7 was No, please state where you believe extra bins are required.

9 The town does not have its own dog warden but the town is covered occasionally by a shared official. Would you as a council tax payer be prepared for the town council to employ its own dog warden and the costs involved to help eradicate the problem of fouling?

10 The council will be considering the level of fines for dog fouling - at what level do you think fines should be? £100 £200 or other?

11 Do you think that fines raised should go towards providing a dog warden for the town?

12 Should there be fines for people walking dogs who are unable to produce a dog poo bag?

13 If it is not possible to pay for a dog warden, how do you think the dog fouling problem should be tackled?  Please give sensible suggestions.

14 Do you think there should be more posters around town warning of fines for dog fouling?

15 Would you be prepared to challenge or report any individual you found not exercising proper control of their dog when fouling a public open space?

16 Do you have any other comments or suggestions to make about this issue which could be helpful to the public consultation? Give details.

REMEMBER: It is the responsibility of a dog owner to take their pet’s waste away with them, or place it into a bin if one is provided.

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