Sedgemoor District Council’s dog wardens are to step up their patrols in Highbridge’s Apex Park after complaints about rising cases of dog fouling and animals being left to roam around the park.
It comes after several walkers have expressed concerns in recent days. One user, Ralph Houghton, contacted Burnham-On-Sea.com this week after being shocked at the problems.
He said: “I should like to know what action is being taken about dog owners, particularly multiple dog owners, letting their dogs off leads to run free. On Wednesday I witnessed a six-dog fight near the lake which forced me off the path and through the mud.”
“My little grandson was also coated in dog mess whilst playing in the railed-off section. We could not let him out of this area because of the number of dogs running free whilst their owners chatted some distance away.”
Sedgemoor District Council spokeswoman Claire Faun told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Whilst we will ask the dog wardens to step up their patrols in that area, the emphasis is very much on the dog owners and dog walkers.”
“We urge dog walkers to ‘pick up the poo’ and keep their dogs under control, especially when there are other dogs around. Apex Park is an open space for everyone to enjoy and we also hope dog owners observe the ‘no dogs’ area so that children can play safely.”
The council’s dog wardens can issue fines to dog walkers who let their animals foul public areas.
Fixed Penalty Notice charges see fines of £50 for payment within a week or £75 within two weeks. Failure to pay instigates court proceedings where a much larger fine can be made.
Residents who are concerned about dog fouling issue in the Burnham or Highbridge area should contact Sedgemoor’s Dog Warden on 0845 408 2540 for the matter to be investigated further.
