Dear Resident
ENFIELD ISLAND VILLAGE - DOG
FOULING
I have just completed a
periodic inspection of the Island. Living in a communal environment,
particularly one as picturesque as the Island carries with it certain
(collective) responsibilities. It only ta- kes a small minority; namely those
who have little respect for the environment or others, to spoil it for the
remainder. It is for this reason that I am writing - to highlight an issue
which should be of concern to us all; namely the fouling of residential areas
by pets, predominantly dogs! The grass areas and riverside path, particularly,
those adjacent to the river Lea next to Dundas, Aldis and Polsten Mews, are
covered in excrement. There are other areas on the Island which are similarly
affected.
Every resident has the right to
own a pet. The exercising of one’s pet(s), particularly when living within the
close confines of a flat, is particularly challenging and requires a greater
degree of responsibility than say those living in a house with a garden. Pets
are only allowed to be kept by flat residents on the basis that they do not
cause a nuisance or offence to others. Clearly, allowing a dog to foul without
then clearing it up, irrespective of whether you live in a flat or a house, is
offensive, a criminal offence and also a potential health hazard; contact with
dog faeces can lead to toxocariasis. This is a disease caused by the eggs of
the roundworm toxocara which can be passed from dogs to humans through contact
with animal faeces and contaminated soil.
Owners wishing to exercise
their dogs are requested to do so on the park land in the middle of the Island
where 2 dog litter bins have been provided. Ideally, dogs should also be kept
on a lead whilst in transit to help prevent them from straying onto and fouling
residential paved/ grassed areas. There is also a dog litter bin on the
riverside pathway adjacent to Dundas Mews, and two others in close proximity to
one another on Thorneycroft Drive and opposite the gymnasium. Owners should use
these specialist bins to dispose of any ‘mess’ perpetrated by their dog(s).
This assumes they have the means/intention to do so - a simple test, should
circumstances dictate, is to ask anyone walking a dog to evidence if they are
carrying any bags or a poop scoop! Needless to say the practice of some owners
to let their dogs out to ‘exercise’ unattended is highly irresponsible and
should never occur/ be allowed.
Allowing a dog to foul a public
area is a criminal offence. Policing/dealing with such incidents is the
responsibility of Enfield Council’s Environmental Crime Unit. That said we,
Amber (as managing agent) and residents, have an important part to play.
All/any instances of dog fouling are to be reported, in the first instance to
the Environmental Crime Unit, and then to me (Amber) in accordance with
advice given on the Enfield Council’s website. An extract, reproduced from the
website, states:
Environmental Crime Unit
Actions. Dog fouling in public areas is unsightly; not only can it cause a
number of health problems, it also costs us (the Council) lots of time and
money to clean. Our crews regularly clean the streets and we provide dog waste
bins throughout Enfield so dog owners can deposit dog waste. If you are a dog
owner, please do your bit by using a bag or poop scoop.
Penalty. If a dog in your
charge fouls a public area, you have to clear the waste. If you do not, you
face a maximum fine of £1,000 (if convicted in the magistrates’ court). You may
be offered the opportunity to pay a penalty of £80 and not have to go to court.
Report Dog Fouling. We can
investigate those people responsible for not removing dog faeces. If you see
someone who did not clear the faeces of a dog in his charge, report it to us as
soon as you can so we can investigate. You will need to give us details such
as:
· Date
· Time
· Location
· Details of the
dog (if possible)
· Details and
descriptions of the people responsible (if possible)
If possible, write this
information on a piece of paper at the time. Sign and date it, and keep it
safe. This can aid our investigation.
How to report
· Report online
· Call
Environmental Crime Unit Telephone : 020 8379 1000 Operating hours: Monday - Friday,
9am - 5pm
What we will do
· Remove the dog
waste within five working days of receiving your report
· Street cleansing
service. Operating hours: Monday - Friday, 24 hours.
There is service on Saturday
and Sunday (6am to 8pm) for busy areas like town centres.
· Update you on the
status of your report within 10 days of receiving it
Amber Management Actions.
When notified of a dog fouling incident I, as managing agent, will attempt to
identify the owner and once identified will write to him/her. If he/she is a
resident of Island then I shall remind him/her of the terms of the Lease/law
and consequences should they fail to comply. Note this action is
secondary/ancillary to any the Environmental Crime Unit may take. Should this
advice/warning be ignored then enforcement action will follow.
I trust you find the above
information useful. The onus is on each and every one of us living on the
Island to report instances of dog fouling to the appropriate authorities.
Hopefully implementing the above procedures will help eliminate the problem
altogether. Doing so will not only safeguarding the health of residents but
maintain/improve the ambiance of the Island as a whole. I look forward to
receiving your help/support.
Yours faithfully
I M CAMPBELL
Estate Manager
Amber Management
icampbell@ambermanagement.co.uk
01992 769143
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