David Newble reports:  The Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet, from today April 8th, will apply new control orders to enforce responsible dog ownership on the Isle of Wight.
New dog control orders are being introduced which will bar dogs from a number of beaches across the Isle of Wight (excluding St Helens and Seagrove Bay) between 1st May and 30th September and will make it an offence not to have dogs on leads on roads and pavements across the entire Island.
It will also be an offence for someone in charge of a dog to fail to clear up if their pet has fouled the area.
The move comes at a time when nationally the responsibility for tackling problems caused by dogs switches from the police to local authorities.
Last year, Isle of Wight Council geared up for the change by employing two new dog wardens to encourage responsible dog ownership on the Island and to tackle the problem of dog fouling.
From 2nd April 2008, authorised officers of the Council including Town Centre Managers, Dog Wardens, Community Support Officers and staff from Environmental Health were authorised to issue fixed penalty notices ( FPNs) for a range of new offences which result from legislation under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.
The £50 fixed penalty will increase to £75 if it is not paid within 10 days and could be as high as £1,000 if the offence is heard in a magistrates court.
Councillor Diana Tuson Isle of Wight Council cabinet member for safer communities said:
“The Isle of Wight has been ahead of the game in tackling problem dogs by employing two new dog wardens last year.
“This new legislation replaces existing by-laws controlling dogs and enables our dog wardens to hand out fixed penalty notices for these offences.
“We are certainly not anti-dog and have taken steps such as installing new dog bins with plastic bags dispensers and holding regular dog-chipping sessions to make life easier for owners.Â
But at the same time, we have to balance the needs of pet owners with the needs of visitors and residents to enjoy beaches and public areas safely and healthily.”
The new orders may not apply (see each order for clarification) to a person who:
*Is registered as a blind person in a register compiled under section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948;
*Has a disability which affects his mobility, manual dexterity, physical co-ordination or ability to lift, carry or otherwise move everyday objects in respect of a dog trained by a prescribed charity and upon which he relies for assistance.
*Is deaf (in respect of a dog trained by hearing dogs for deaf people (registered charity number 293358) and upon which he relies for assistance.
Information about the new Fixed Penalty Notices can be found Click HERE:
List of the beaches covered by the Dog Exclusion Order can be viewed Click HERE:
IWC Media David Newble:Â Isle of Wight Community News @Island Pulse.