Unfortunately dog mess appears to be on the increase in Hurst Park.
Nine out of ten dog owners pick up their pet's waste, but there are unfortunately serial and persistent offenders who, day after day, leave it behind in the park. These people are the focus of the latest campaign by Elmbridge Council. Click to see Elmbridge Twitter page
"You never know who's watching you..." is the message of the Elmbridge campaign, and anyone in the local community who sees irresponsible dog fouling is encouraged to report the dog owners who don't clean up. The council will follow up on these reports, so even if thoughtless dog owners don't see an enforcement officer in the area, they could still face a fixed penalty of £50, rising up to £1000. According to research, there are more than five million dogs in England producing nearly 600,000 tonnes of waste each year. Research has also found that dog poo in public places is the most unacceptable and dirtiest type of litter, and the biggest concern when it comes to environmental quality and human health.
We are all of us the eyes for this campaign so if you witness dog fouling, please report it. Dog owners who let their dogs out of the car to run free can also face a fine for dog fouling - dogs must always be supervised in Hurst Park. Witnesses should note time, date and the car registration number when reporting the incident, and it is helpful to be able to give descriptions of the dogs and the owners.
To report dog fouling go to Elmbridge Council's special page. Or you can call: 01372 474474 or report it by email
Elmbridge Council have already successfully fined offenders.
Click to see Elmbridge Dog Walkers Fined
Dog Fouling Blight - Get Surrey
How councils battle the dog poo problem - Get Surrey
There is a limit of no more than four dogs any one person can walk at one time under dog control regulations. Again, those ignoring these byelaws would be subject to a penalty and if you see this behaviour - because it is impossible for one person to monitor too many dogs - report it. Click to see number of dogs allowed
The Friends want to help Elmbridge Council make a success of this campaign to reduce the incidents of dog fouling. To that end we sometimes mark offending residue with biodegradable red line-marking paint. The purpose is two-fold: to draw attention to the deposit and hopefully send a message to the owner that left it, and to highlight the mess so that children and especially visually impaired people can see it and avoid it.
Please help to keep Hurst Park clean and healthy for everyone - and that applies to the entire area of Hurst Park and Hurst Meadows. Whether the grass is mown or allowed to grow long, it is all used by the public, and especially by children.
To report dog fouling go to Elmbridge Council's special page. Or you can call: 01372 474474 or report it by email