In a meeting of the Council’s Cabinet today (Tuesday) members agreed to move ahead to adopt measures which will include powers to ban dogs from designated public areas such as parks, play areas, paths and beaches and to issue on the spot fines to irresponsible dog owners. 

A formal public consultation on new proposals to tackle nuisance dogs will now be launched in the coming weeks and the new measures could come into force as soon as 1 April, 2013.

Aled Davies, Head of Gwynedd Council’s Regulatory Department, said:

“Over the past few years we have run a series of high profile campaigns and initiatives to tackle the problem of dog mess - from working with school pupils to producing striking signs, to handing out free poop bags and patrolling problem areas.

“Whilst these campaigns have been successful, with national surveys indicating that dog mess is less of a problem in Gwynedd than other areas of Wales, the message simply isn’t getting through to a minority of selfish dog-owners who continue to let their pets blight paths, pavements, parks, play areas and beaches.

“After listening carefully to what residents have had to say about the problem, over the past year we have drawn up detailed proposals to get tough with persistent offenders and tackle some of Gwynedd’s hot spots.

“If the Cabinet and the public back the principle of introducing dog control orders, our aim is to adopt the orders as soon as possible so that we can start enforcing the orders in the Spring of 2013.”

Up to £80,000 will be invested in the project during 2013/14 and a further £57,000 every year from 2014/15 onwards.