Residents wage war on dog fouling


RESIDENTS in Bearsted are kicking up a stink about the foul state of the streets, lit- tered with dog mess. A group of parents regularly faced with


waste left in haste are so incensed that they have mounted a high-profile campaign to get dog owners to clear up after their pets. Dog owner Zoe Head believes the situa-


tion has grown worse in the past 12 months, despite the council’s alleged crack- down on dog fouling. She and some of the other young mums


began leafleting homes around the village as well as posting posters on gateposts and lamp standards. Meanwhile, Thurnham school dad Gary Seward set up a facebook group – DogMess Bearsted – for locals to report instances of un-scooped poop left lying on the pave- ments. The site, which has more than 115 mem-


bers, is littered with pictures of poop. Gary describes its mission as “reporting


areas of the village which are havens for dog owners to allow their dogs to poo and not clean it up”. Maidstone Council is introducing a new


dog watch initiative in tandem with dog control orders which make it an offence for owners not to pick up their pets’ mess. Enforcement officers are scheduled to pa-


trol Bearsted and can issue penalty fines of up to £1,000 – but the threat of such a big


fine does not seem to deter the canine cul- prits, according to Gary. Plantation Lane seems to be a prime site


for poop, as does the Landway and the alley leading to Birling Avenue. The Facebook page encourages members


to “snap and trap” culprits who are also being named and shamed. It is already on the case of someone who


bags up their dog poo – but then throws it down an alleyway by the school. The vigilantes are also on the lookout for


aman who allegedly carries a poo bag filled with stones to give the appearance of hav- ing “poop scooped” and the owner of a black Labrador, also believed to be a serial offender. Letters have been sent out by the council to some parts of Bearsted, and Gary writes: “The letters sent out by the council have worked. Someone has let their dog c**p on my lawn now.” Zoe, who lives on Ashford Road, said: “Ashford Road grass verges seem to be a haven for dog poo. I don’t have a problem cleaning up after my own dog, but I don’t see why I should have to clear up others.” Since extra warning notices had been erected, however, she believed the situation had improved. Community warden Adam McKinley has


met with the dog warden on several occa- sions and has even offered to change his shifts to try and catch the culprits.


Fury on Facebook “Outside 9 Plantation Lane – unbelievable! Even up the fence! These people need shoot- ing.” - Denise Ann Cobb


“Well, a lovely bag of dog poo especially for the kids’ return to school this morning, at the Landway end of the alley.” - Nikki Hutchins


“Plantation Lane and the odd dollop all the way up the Landway towards the station. Happy Monday!” - Nicola Rowland Hill


“Perhaps we need a patrol at night? This mess is on the school route, ready for the little ones to stomp in on their way to school.” - Denise Ann Cobb


“I don’t think a dog would poo in that position. Is someone trying to prove a point and is doing this on purpose?” - Julia Lavington


“10 Madginford Road – nice big pile outside there...” Anne-Marie Hayman


“Two new lumps in the alleyway this morn- ing...and the parish council doesn’t think there’s a problem?” - Gary Seaward


“And another nice one, all bagged up, next to it.” - Nikki Hutchins


A PLANNING application has been submit- ted to fell five protected trees at 1 Fernbank Close,Walderslade. Mrs Harmsworth wants to ground three


sweet chestnuts, a willow and an ash. The proposal also involves coppicing work to five sweet chestnut trees. The application, which will be determined by Maidstone Council, said: “The three sweet chestnut trees have caused direct damage by under-


24 East He believes it is five years since anyone


was fined after being reported by a neigh- bour and is urging everyone to turn “super- grass” in order to keep the streets and verges clean. He said: “I can understand residents’ frus- tration about lazy dog owners.” Maidstone Council no longer supplies


dog waste bins in the borough, arguing that dog mess can be placed in regular litter bins. A spokesman said: “We are aware of the increased focus on dog fouling in Bearsted and areworking with the local KCCWarden and residents to deal with the issues raised. “We have not been able to establish whether there has been an actual increase or a perceived increase in fouling in the area but there have been incidents of foul- ing.


“We fully support the residents commit-


ment to tackling the problem and we are asking responsible dog owners and resi- dents to assist our officers to identify the ir- responsible dog owners in the area. “Officers have conducted a number of pa-


trols in the area and have been speaking with local residents and dog walkers as well as delivering DogWatch postcards and putting up anti-fouling signs in the affected areas.”


Bearsted Parish Council is due to discuss the item when it meets on May 13.


Campaign targets owners


ANEW“dogwatch” scheme is out to catch careless canine owners in the borough. To coincide with the introduction of new


dog control orders this month, the council is urging residents to tell them about prob- lem areas – and the dogs who are respon- sible.


Under the newdogwatch, the council will


direct increased numbers of enforcement officers to places identified as problem areas and will use information provided by residents tocatchthe irresponsible fewdog owners who don’t scoop their pets’ poop. Several parishes have complained about


dog fouling, including Bearsted, which is planning to highlight the problem with yel- lowbags, while inVinter’sValleyNatureRe- serve, the warden raises the profile of the poop by spraying it pink. A council spokesman said: “Information provided by residents increases the chances of the en- forcement officers catching the culprits.” Thedog controlordersmakeitanoffence


for a dog owner not to pick up after their dogs anywhere in the borough, and exclude dogs fromanyenclosed children’splayarea with a “no dogs” sign. These orders are de- signed to promote responsible dog owner- ship. Not acting responsibly will lead to a £75 fixed penalty. Cabinetmemberfor the environment, Cllr Marion Ring, said: “The irresponsible ac-


Protected trees ‘a danger to property’


mining the fence post foundation and dis- rupting the fence. Their position causes concerns to our client with the vast over- hang that the trees have developed towards the property on the top of the bank. “They worry that in extreme gale force storms, the swept stem and height exposure may lead to further collapse as per the pre- vious event. The trees also create lots of shade when in leaf.


Cllr Marion Ring with environment officers Jamie Duffy and Louise Duke and environmental operations man- ager Martyn Jeynes


tions of the minority can have a significant, negative impact on the local environment. “With help from thepublic,wecanensure


that our environmental enforcement offi- cers are directed to areas where there is a problem, so that they can take action against the few who do not control their dogs responsibly.” To report a problem in confidence, resi-


dents can call 01622 602202 or complete the form atwww.maidstone.gov.uk.


“The ash tree has a lack of future growth potential due to its positioning between the houses. It is very close to the neighbour’s house and our client is very worried about their liability. It creates a slippery surface during autumn and is already affecting the growth pattern on the neighbour’s tree.With future growth increment the surface roots are likely to damage the concrete driveway slab.


“The willow tree is a weak structure and needs removing for safety issues.”


Support YOUR local paper — and we can support YOU - advertise on 01622 630330


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56