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DISHING THE DIRT
DISHING THE DIRT
Published on Friday, February 11th 2005
TYNEDALE Council is not usually backward in coming forward when it comes to extracting cash from its citizens.
An ever-increasing council tax levy, steep increases in car park tickets and a new charge for removing excess rubbish have all set the cash registers ringing at Hexham House.
Over-stay your welcome at Wentworth car park, or park outside the white lines, and you can expect a stiff fine.
However, the council is curiously reticent when it comes to cashing in on one Hexham’s biggest potential money-earners.
Some five years ago,, it announced it was getting tough on dog owners who allowed their pets to foul public open spaces.
There were threats of ?1,000 fines and offending pooches being carried off to the Cat and Dog Shelter in Newcastle.
The drive seems to have been a loud-sounding nothing, for not a single person has yet been prosecuted under the bye-laws.
It cannot be for want of evidence; the streets of Hexham present a daily obstacle course of canine calling cards.
The laws are being flouted with impunity, despite the fact the mess not only ruins children’s shoes and clothing, but can also cause blindness.
The council may bleat it needs to catch a dog in the act before it can prosecute, but that’s a feeble excuse. There are numerous known “brown spots” throughout the town, where any observer worth his salt, or a strategically placed camera, could gather enough evidence for a dozen prosecutions.
And local people must be prepared to give evidence against irresponsible dog owners.
Once one person has been named and shamed before the magistrates, many more will think twice before leaving the evidence of Fido’s passing.
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