Current Issues

Mountsorrel to ban dogs from playing fields?

At a recent meeting of Mountsorrel Parish Council the problem of dog fouling was raised. This is a perennial problem, not just in Mountsorrel but nationally. Irresponsible dog owners are letting their pets deposit their mess on playing fields used by children and cricket and football teams. Three visiting cricket teams have complained about the state of the Mountsorrel Memorial Playing Field, and the local cricket team has been warned that if it does not improve they could be banned from using the pitch. Dog fouling is also a health and safety problem where children play and dogs are currently banned from all the equipped play areas.

Three solutions have been put forward: getting all the dog owners to clear up the mess, only allowing dogs on leads or banning dogs from all the playing fields. It is recognised that the majority of dog owners are responsible and do clear up but how do we get the small minority who don’t bother or don’t care to act likewise?

It is the responsibility of the dog owner to pick up after their pet. It would be better if the dog was trained to use their own back garden, rather than the fields and public streets, but if the dog does go then the owner has a public duty to clear up the mess. Banning dogs running loose on the playing fields may help to solve the problem, because the owner knows the dog is messing and should then clear up the mess. Banning dogs totally from all playing fields should solve the problem, but it does penalise the responsible dog owner who always clears up their pet’s mess. Several local Councils having taken this route, but does it just move the problem on to the streets and local fields?

The streets of the village are also littered with dog excrement and this problem has got worse recently. Charnwood Borough Council has been asked to step up patrols and fine people who offend. The Litter (Animal Droppings) Order 1991 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 obliged local councils to keep public walkways, pleasure grounds, gardens, recreational areas and popular parts of the seashore clear of fouling. The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 made failing to clear up dog poo an offence punishable by a fixed penalty of £50 or, in court, a fine of up to £1,000.

51 Years on Road Safety Committee

Councillor Harold Newman was presented with a certificate by The Mayor of Charnwood in recognition of 51 years service on the Charnwood Road Safety Committee.