DOG WASTE BINS
Published: 09 December 2022
Magor with Undy Town Council are very much aware that most of our communities dog owners behave responsible when it comes to the disposal of their dog waste and we anticipate that those dog owners will support the Council in its endeavours to keep Magor with Undy a pleasant, safe and clean environment for all.
Dog Waste Bins are provided by Magor with Undy Town Council for Dog Owners/Walkers to deposit their dogs waste collected when out walking their dog. They are not for the depositing large amounts, such as carrier bags full of excrement that some people will collect from their gardens. The Council has received a number of reports advising that large bags of dog excrement is being deposited in the Dog Waste Bins and also in the General Litter Bins. This behaviour has been witnessed a number of times in recent weeks. Residents should be aware that Dog Waste from your gardens is considered to be ‘household waste’ and Section 33/34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 imposes a ‘duty of care’ on persons to take all such reasonable measures available to ensure that any transfer of household waste produced on their property is to an authorised person for disposal.
Any person identified in committing this offence will have their details passed to Monmouthshire County Council for consideration of prosecution.
It is most disappointing to have to once again post a message about the misuse of Dog Waste Bins provided for the benefit of Dog/Owners and Dog Walkers and a total disregard by some even to pick up after their dogs.
The provision of Dog Waste Bins is for the benefit of our whole community in an effort to ensure that our pavements, grass verges, play areas and public open spaces are kept free of dog excrement in order to safeguard everyone, especially children.
You should be aware that Council are spending almost £13,000 per year to the contractor responsible for collecting the waste bins. The contractor adds additional cost where bins have been overloaded, bags of excrement left hanging form the side and on the floor at the foot of the bin. The contractor engages in this business in several areas of Monmouthshire CC and has stated that our Community is by far the worst in respect of the misuse of Dog Waste Bins.
Magor with Undy Town Council have 33 of these bins located all around the villages, we have more than any other of our neighbouring Councils and Authorities and while they also have their issues there does not appear to have the volume of incidents of adverse behaviour and disregard for the facilities that we provide. Unfortunately, continued misuse of the Dog Waste Bins has the effect of increasing costs and could compromise Council’s ability to continue to provide the same level of service.
Council are currently reviewing the contract which requires renewing and the fees are set to increase to over £14,000 per from 01st April 2023.
Council are considering working with Monmouthshire Council to recommend the implementation of Public Space Protection Orders for particular areas of our community in respect of matters such as keeping dogs on lead and also dog exclusion areas. Council is also investigating alternatives to the requirement for dog bins but nevertheless have an obligation to consider facilities for collection and disposal of dog waste. However, this is not a statutory service. In the meantime,
As responsible dog owners - Please DO NOT
• Take your home/garden dog waste to either dog waste or litter bins.
• Overload the Dog Waste Bins (its quite obvious when its full). Please take your waste home if the bins are full.
• Leave poo bags anywhere else.
Please DO
• Always pick up after your dog.
• When off the lead in areas where this is permissible, keep an eye on your dog at all times. Its easy to miss their bowel movement if you are on your mobile phone or chatting to others. Dogs must always be kept under control.
• Deposit waste bags responsibly in Dog Waste Bins or Council Litter Bins.
• Take waste bags home to include with household waste if you cannot dispose of it responsibly while out walking.
Published: 03 August 2022
Magor with Undy Town Council would like to remind all of our dog owners/walkers to please take responsibility for the proper disposal of your dog waste.
Dog mess is the most unacceptable and offensive type of litter on our streets, parks and public spaces. Dog fouling is not only deeply unpleasant, it is dangerous. Whilst rare, contact with dog excrement can cause toxocariasis – a nasty infection that can lead to dizziness, nausea, asthma and even blindness or seizures.
The parasites and bacteria in dog waste can spread disease to other dogs and even you if not properly picked up. E. coli and salmonella are some of the bacteria which are carried in dog waste. Even if your dog does not show symptoms of being sick their waste can carry diseases that are harmful to humans and other pets.
Pick up promptly — Prevent parasites, bacteria, and viruses from infecting people or other pets by picking up your dog's poop immediately. Many parasites require days to weeks to reach the infective stage, so feces becomes more hazardous to your health the longer it sits.
Council members are frequently informed of an irresponsibility in respect of the many dog waste bins located throughout the community where dog waste in bags is being left hanging on the side of the bin or left on the ground at the foot of the bin. It is also a matter of fact that some people hang their poop bags on hedges (who do they think is going to remove that).
It is respectfully requested that if the Dog Waste Bin is full that you take it the another bin (it will not be that far away) or you may put it in a general waste bin or even take it home with you and place in your general waste.
While most dog owners are caring, responsible individuals, there are still some people who do not clean up after their pets.
The law states that being unaware a dog has fouled or not having a suitable bag is not a reasonable excuse.
If someone does fail to clean up after their pet, it falls to the council to get rid of it. The Town Council spend a lot of money, time and effort cleaning public areas with litter and dog poo, all of which could be saved if everyone living in our communities were as responsible as the vast majority are.
The Penalty
Where there is evidence a person has littered or failed to pick up their dog poo, they will be given a fixed penalty notice which is a fine. Failure to pay will result in Monmouthshire County Council prosecuting the offender in Magistrates Court.