Councillor Suggests Goldfish for Individuals Unwilling to Clean Up Dog Waste

A councillor has stated that individuals unwilling to collect their dog’s waste should “get a goldfish” instead of a canine companion. Julia Huffer, a representative of East Cambridgeshire District Council, remarked: “Get a cat, get a goldfish, get a stuffed dog; do not get a real one and take it out and allow it to foul anywhere.” These remarks coincided with the council’s decision to impose a £100 fine on individuals who do not clean up after their dogs. Huffer emphasized the “life-changing” severity of the problem, noting that a fellow councillor had experienced vision loss in one eye due to dog faeces. Huffer further commented, “I do not understand why people get a dog if they are not prepared to pick up after it.” East Cambridgeshire implemented a district-wide public space protection order (PSPO) in 2018, mandating that dog owners collect their pets’ waste and “appropriately take away or dispose of the waste”. The Local Democracy Reporting Service indicates that existing £80 fines will now be raised to £100. Officers from the council informed the operational services committee that enforcing the order presented a “challenge.” They explained that few individuals were prepared or able to offer a witness statement upon observing someone failing to clean up after their dog, and in other instances, identifying the dog owners proved difficult. During 2023-24, officers recorded 54 instances of dog waste observed on the ground and seven reports specifically concerning dog fouling. The committee was informed that this resulted in the issuance of one community protection warning and three warning letters. Councillors acknowledged the difficulties in enforcement but endorsed the renewal of the PSPO for an additional three-year period. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.