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Local Dog Warden Idea Welcomed
(June 24, 2014)An initiative to tackle dog fouling through a locally run dog warden service took a big step forward last night as Warminster town council agreed overwhelming to seek a partnership with a neighbouring council despite a surprising objection.
"I believe that dog fouling needs action to be taken and I move this resolution that we work with Westbury town council to investigate us setting up a joint dog warden service," said Cllr. Paul Macdonald.
"After the cuurent housing issue this is the most often complain that I receive," said Cllr. Pip Ridout who immediately seconded the motion.
"Living next to Portway Field I see it every day. I cannot use the word in this chamber that goes before off when I speak to them about it."
There were nine councillors present and all added their experience of the problem and what they had witnessed.
"I live in Bradley Road and I see cars pull up, the drivers get out and open their tailgates to let their dogs out loose to run around the field and twenty minutes later they come back to be driven," said Cllr. Paul Batchelor.
"Up the Heathlands someone sprays the dog poo eevery colour but brown off course," said Cllr. Nick Dombkowski.
These comments came after there was one objecting voice from a surprise quarter. Cllr. Keith Humphries, who is dual-hatted also being a Wiltshire Councillor and a cabinet member at county hall, spoke at length.
"I detest the problem," Cllr. Humphries said at first but then read from two pages of notes arguing against the two local councils initiative mainly on the grounds of enforcement.
"I am pleased that the council have overwhelming voted by eight votes to one to see if working with another local council we can do something positive about this," said Cllr. Paul Macdonald after the meeting.
"I am surprised at the stand that councillor Humphries took in voting against because as a town councillor he must know that this is wanted by our townsfolk.
"It was obvious that he was not speaking to us as a town councillor but as a county council cabinet member and again I am surprised because if a locally run dog warden service comes about it will help the hard-pressed county service."