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Snoop dog: 24-hour patrol keeps watch on pet owners
Mark Blunden23 Mar 2009
A 24-HOUR hit squad has been set up to "snoop" on irresponsible dog owners with the help of government money.
A team of six wardens working for Islington council is patrolling parks, streets and estates in Finsbury, handing out £80 on-the-spot fines to anyone caught allowing their dog to foul.
The wardens, who wear high-visibility uniforms, work in shifts, with two team members on duty at a time.
They say the best time to catch offenders is in the early hours.
The pilot scheme, believed to be the first of its kind in the capital, costs £7,500 a month. Some residents have questioned the cost effectiveness of the patrols in the south of the borough, pointing out that only 14 fixed-penalty notices have been issued in three weeks. Dog owners have also branded the tactic "heavy handed".
The project is funded by the EC1 New Deal for Communities partnership, which has been given £52.9 million to help the area's deprived families. Andy Murphy, EC1 New Deal's chief executive, said: "Residents have told us time and time again that they are sick of the amount of dog mess in this area. Normal patrol services only operate during limited hours.
"Our money will help them to identify irresponsible dog owners who exercise their pets outside these hours - early in the morning, late at night and at the weekend."
The wardens are trained to deal with dangerous dogs and low-level anti-social behaviour. They also "educate" owners and issue verbal warnings for animals not on leads.
The team consists of council street wardens, environment officers, housing wardens and park guards, whose overtime is funded by EC1 New Deal.
The partnership refused to allow the Standard to speak to a warden and a spokeswoman admitted that at first they faced "quite a bit of resistance". If an owner makes no attempt to clean up they are automatically given a fine and face prosecution if they refuse to pay. Fines are issued through government-backed Dog Control Orders.
But some owners fear the project will alienate the responsible majority. Kate Richards, of London's Bone Rangers dog-walking agency, said: "I would be terrified if someone jumped out on me at 4am. Using late-night patrols seems to be very heavy handed and snooping around like this is not the right way to go about things. You need to trust people and educate them to pick up."
Leo Chapman, a local resident and former New Deal board member, said: "I question whether these patrols offer good value for money and would rather see part of the funding spent on dedicated dog playgrounds, which would get them out of public parks."
A spokesman the Department for Communities and Local Government said: "Local priorities and projects are a matter for each community-led NDC, but it is clear that quality of local environment plays a big part in how people see their neighbourhood."
Reader views (8)
Another bloody waste of money in this ridiculous, wasteful country. We can't afford to pay for lifesaving cancer drugs for people, but we can spend a fortune every month on this. And guess what - it's not working anyway! Dog wardens have been regularly "patrolling" ie - spying on people for years here and there is still dog mess everywhere. Instead of this police state behaviour, these dog wardens would be put to better use being sent round cleaning up the mess. Oh - and my town is also covered in rubbish, broken glass, old matresses etc, which no-one makes any attempt to clean up or get under control, but oh my god, dog mess must be stopped at all costs, even if it requires that britain behaves like a fascist state.
- IGG, Westcountry, 19/05/2010 18:56
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Six wardens; at £7,500 a month.
Fourteen tickets at £80 a throw = £1.120.00.
£7.500 - £1.120.00 = £6.380.00.
Sounds like the tax payer is getting another bad deal to me.
- Mickyinlondon, london, 23/03/2009 17:10
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I'm a dog owner and always clear up after him. I live near Riddlesdown and the Corporation of London who own it, provide Doggie pooh bags and plenty of Bins, so there is no excuse. I would welcome the patrols up there as there is a sizeable minority who don't care. Whilst they are at it, can they fine the Council estate vermin with their out of control Staffs too? (Not of course the nice Staffy owners and dogs), although I suspect the patrols would get beaten up by these anti social morons thugs.
- Anon, Purley, 23/03/2009 14:46
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DNA test all dogs then it will be easy to match dog to dogpile. And encourage diligent owners to shop the ones who don't clear up. The first 50 yards of every park is a mess. Too many owners 'just happen' to let Fido loose, then look the other way.
- Me, Richmond, 23/03/2009 14:29
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Leo Chapman wants "Dog Play grounds", what planet are you on? what you're really refering to is a dog toilet. Leo - Are you advocating dogs are allowed to mess and their owners not clear up after them in these areas? If you rdog messes anywhere you clear it up - end of story. There aren't enough play grounds for people! Catch the iresponsible dog owners who walk their dogs at the same time and place every day and educate them if they foul without clearing up! If they persist then fine them. You need to train the owners. Whilst resisting daft ideas like yours.
- Mark, London, 23/03/2009 13:56
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I'm all for it! Its a pity they won't be patrolling more widely.
I'm sick of the sight of pavements and footpaths strewn with dog dirt.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 23/03/2009 12:48
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Great idea. Well-written, balanced article too.
- Pauline A, London, 23/03/2009 12:17
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Roundworm eggs found in dog faeces can be very easily ingested by children that play in areas where dog owners let their precious pets use the 'toilet'. Once in the body they can grow into worms that migrate through the body, in some cases causing blindness and epilepsy.
Pick it up and bin it, no excuses.
- Mike B, London, 23/03/2009 10:12
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