Forres Community Council calls for more people to report owners for not dealing with dog fouling

COMMUNITY wardens have received just 13 complaints of dog fouling in Forres over the last year.

And a total of zero fines were handed out to offenders in the area since last March, despite what Forres Community Council (FCC) has highlighted as a real problem in and around the town.

Moray Council’s animal services officer confirmed Bogton Road was the area that received the most complaints during the period, with five of the 13 total.

He said: “On request, community wardens may provide posters in an area affected by dog fouling. If someone wishes to report a dog owner who doesn’t clean up after their dog, giving a statement with details of the offender, the dog, and a note of the time and place the incident occurred, our wardens will decide whether the matter can be taken further. The more accurate and specific the information that is provided, the greater the chance that this will result in a dog fouler being penalised with a fixed penalty notice.”

FCC member John Byrne has repeatedly raised the issue at the watchdog group’s online public meetings.

He said: “The report figures to the local authority are disappointing. If reports don’t convert to charges, people with feel they can get away with it as there are no repercussions even if they do get reported. After a year’s lockdown and a exponential increase in dog walking, the council appears to be deficient in providing adequate facilities for owners to get rid of waste effectively.”

FCC has requested a map from Moray Council to highlight where existing bins are.

Councillor Lorna Creswell (Forres, Independent) supports FCC’s campaign to raise awareness.

She said: “We need more than ever to get back to encouraging dog owners to clear up after their pets. Forres High Street has been disgusting recently.”

To report dog fouling visit https://online.moray.gov.uk/form/auto/asb_ext