Thanet council’s enforcement team has sprung into action to clear up a ‘dog mess’ hotspot in Margate.
The team has cleared the alley next to Salmestone primary and nursery and stencilled a sign on the footway to remind dog owners to be responsible.
The action follows a report by The Isle of Thanet News last week about the growing problem of discarded dog waste along the public footpath.
The path runs from Tivoli Road to Salmestone Road, alongside the former Margate Sands Railway line. Dog mess littered the ground and black bags containing the waste were discarded alongside the pathway or thrown over the fence. At the bottom of the path by Tivoli Road a mound of bags was building up on a section of brickwork.
Salmestone head teacher Nigel Pantling said last week the front of the school was clear of any mess but he would encourage dog owners to be responsible.
A Thanet council spokesperson said: “The alleyway has long been a hotspot problem area and the team regularly visit it. They have now redone the stencil, signage has been revamped and new signs are going up and they are working with the dog warden to see what kind of pro-active enforcement can be carried out.”
Thanet District Council has a zero-tolerance to littering and dog fouling in all public spaces.
The minority of dog owners who offend could be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £100.If the penalty notice is not paid, Thanet council will take an offender to court and a fine of up to £2500 may be payable.
Thanet District Council has worked in partnership with Tikspac to install 30 dog waste bag dispensers around parks and open spaces. There is also a dog waste bin alongside the green at Tivoli Road and bagged dog waste can be put in any public litter bin.
