A dog’s life
The other week I saw a local man leave his house with his dog, and proceed to let it foul the footway immediately, before repeating the trick 50 yards down the road. The man looked on in amusement, and left his gift for the community right there on the pavement.
There’s an old saying about not crapping on your own doorstep, but my mind wasn’t occupied with those particular wise words at the time. Instead, I took busy-body-dom to a whole new level and reported him. I was told that I’d have to fill out a statement, and that a prosecution would follow.
So I did just that. And this morning I am told that because of a lack of evidence, the prosecution can’t go forward.
I wonder, what more compelling evidence can there possibly be than a signed statement from an eye-witness who is also a local Councillor, confirming the time, date and place of the incident, the description and address of the dog owner, and that it happened twice within 50 yards? Was I supposed to take a swab?
So I am a bit annoyed at that. God knows how we are supposed to get dog mess under control when it looks like the only way you can prosecute naughty dog owners is if their pooches relieve themselves in the magistrate’s lap. It isn’t the fault of the dog wardens, who seem as peeved as me. But for some legal reason of which I am unclear, this guy can’t get the fine he deserves. And as a result our streets keep getting dirtier, bad dog owners keep getting away with it, and the majority of good dog owners don’t see rewards for their fairly unpleasant efforts in cleaning up mess.
But we’ll keep on trying, and next time I see a dog owner walk away from his mutt’s pavement deposit, I will pounce with a plastic bag and mail it myself to the Council’s lawyers. Although, on reflection, this might get me into a bit of trouble myself…
Rick
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How perfectly ridiculous, surely the dog owner should have received at least a caution. How can we ever stop irresponsible dog owners if no one takes action ? Did you take a photograph ? The only other course of action that seesm left open to you is to tackle the dog owner yourself, not to be recommended.
yours susan, a dog owner too, but I do keep an eye on my dog and clear up after him.
I know - it is ridiculous. I have more info now. The owner claims that the dog was suffering from “loose bowels” which thus precluded him from picking up the mess. I know that this isn’t true because I saw what was left behind and can safely say that, consistency wise, the dog’s bowels are healthier than mine!
It’s maddening. I suppose I could’ve taken a picture with my phone, but I didn’t think that at the time, and it’s a bit much to ask of people. I already had to spend a good hour or more altogether with emailing people, filling in the form, posting it off and chasing it up.
The dog owner could’ve pounded me to oblivion with a single blow. Maybe he got to the lawyer too…
Rick