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Tails were wagging in Bromley High Street as dogs and owners came along to Canine Care day, an event promoting responsible dog ownership in the borough.
Dog owners were encouraged to keep streets and parks clean and free of dog's mess with complimentary scoop bags provided by the council's parks team. Experts from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and the RSPCA were also on hand to offer advice and dog training tips, along with free dog micro-chipping and pet tag engraving which could help reunite lost dogs with their owners.
"Owning and caring for a dog is a huge responsibility. While most dog owners are responsible people, we want to encourage all dog owners to follow their example and help us make a clean, safe and pleasant environment for everyone using the borough's parks and open spaces" said Councillor Tim Stevens, Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Safety.
The council's dedicated dog-handling team patrols parks and open spaces to help control dog fouling and dog nuisance. These areas are covered by Dog Control Orders, and if owners let their dogs cause trouble or make a mess without clearing it up, they could be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £80.
Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, a dog must always be on a lead in the street and restricted areas and wear a collar when outside the home. The name and address of its owner must be on the collar or a plate or badge attached to it
Anyone who has lost a dog is advised to contact Battersea Dogs and Cats Home on 0901 477 8477 or visit http://www.battersea.org.uk/. They will check their database which covers all of the borough, the whole of London and all of the area inside the M25. Anyone who has found a dog that appears to be lost or abandoned which can be confined, ready for collection, should call the dog warden on 08444 828 337. Calls reporting sightings of un-tethered dogs wandering in streets or open spaces cannot be responded to.
Further information about responsible dog ownership.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Canine Care Day was held on Tuesday 13 December 2011.
- For more information on Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, visit http://www.battersea.org.uk/.
- Further information on the RSPCA is available at http://www.rspca.org.uk/.
- For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Communications Advisor, on 020 8461 7670 or email andrew.rogers@bromley.gov.uk
