This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Support for Dog Fouling Bill
16/01/2003
The Executive today underlined its support for a Members
Bill on Dog Fouling that is currently before
Parliament.
Public Services Minister Andy Kerr said it was an
integral part of the Executive's Quality of Life initiative
to improve the local environment and the quality of
people's daily lives.
The Dog fouling Bill was introduced to parliament by
Keith Harding MSP last year and includes measures which
would:
- change the current offence from one of allowing a
dog to foul to one of failing to clean up after a
dog
- allow the police and local authorities to enforce
new offence provisions by way of a fixed penalty
notices as opposed to going through the courts
- remove the need for corroborating evidence which
currently causes difficulties
Mr Kerr said:
"Local residents have the right to expect streets which
are clean and free from the nuisance and health risks often
caused by dog fouling. That is why we are supporting this
bill and working with Keith Harding MSP to ensure locals
communities are spared from the unpleasantness of dog
fouling.
"Supporting the Bill is part of our focus on our Quality
of Life initiative, launched last year, aimed at making a
real difference in our communities by improving local
environments and the quality of people's daily lives by
dealing with local concerns such as litter, graffiti, and
dog fouling.
"The Scottish Executive are fully committed to improving
the quality of life of our communities. We gave £95 million
to local authorities in 2002 to fund local projects and a
further £180 million was also set aside in the Budget for
the next three years to help drive it forward.
"While enforcement will undoubtedly play a vital part in
this Bill, it is also essential that we educate and
encourage dog owners to change their attitude and act more
responsibly. That is why we have committed £100,000 to a
publicity campaign should the Bill successfully complete
its passage.
"I know this is an important issues for our local
communities and although there are still some issues to be
resolved, I hope we can work together to ensure this Bill
completes its passage before the end of the parliament. I
am certain that this Bill will make a real difference
across Scotland."
The Executive allocated £95 million on June 26 to local
authorities for the Quality of Life Programme. A further
£180 million was set aside in the Budget for the next three
years to help drive the programme forward.
All 32 local authorities confirmed that they would use
the extra funds in full to support these improvements.
It is currently an offence under section 48 of the Civic
Government (Scotland) Act 1982 for anyone in charge of a
dog to allow it to deposit excrement in certain public
places. Any person committing such an offence is liable, on
summary of conviction, to a fine of up to £500.