Bag it, Tie it and Bin it

The Parish Council is spearheading a campaign to improve the use of dog bins in the village. A series of posters are being displayed on notice boards throughout the village urging those who do not already do so to use the bins provided for their dog waste.

The Council, in conjunction with Breckland Council, has also been distributing leaflets informing residents that dog waste from their homes can be deposited into their green household waste bins. This is to ensure that the dog bins in the village are used only by those out walking their dogs and not from any excess, which otherwise means the bins fill too quickly. There are currently ten dog bins in the village, four of which are on the Water Meadows. The cooperation of all residents would be greatly appreciated in tackling this issue.

Dog waste bins are mainly provided your parish council for use by dog walkers to dispose of mall amounts of dog waste whilst walking their dogs. Please ensure any dog waste is securely wrapped in a small plastic bag/poop scoop bag. Dog waste bins are not designed for carrier bags full of dog waste from your garden, this results in them being filled too quickly and overflowing.

What should I do with dog waste from my garden? You can place dog waste from your garden into your own green household waste bin, as long as it is securely wrapped, alternatively if you don't wish to do this, you can take it to a Norfolk County Council recycling centre

If you are out walking your dog and there isn't a dog waste bin close by, you can place dog waste (again as long as it is :securely wrapped) into a litter bin. If either bin is full or not Available then please take it home and dispose of into your )own green household waste bin.

Litter bins are mainly provided by town and parish councils across Breckland for use by the public to dispose of their litter then they are out and about. .litter bins should be used for this purpose only. If there isn't a litter bin close by then please take your litter home. Litter bins should not be used for excess household waste. If you have any excess household waste, this can be taken to the Norfolk County Council recycling centres, please call 03448008004 for information on your nearest recycling centre. Alternatively your household may be eligible for extra waste capacity. Please call 01362 656878 for more information.

The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 allows local authorities to designate most public land as poop scoop areas without having to refer to central government. Previously, local authorities had to secure the agreement of central government to create the necessary byelaws. Under the new Act, failure to clear up on designated land is an offence subject to a maximum fine of £ 1000. Local authorities can also give offenders the option of paying a fixed penalty rather than go to Court. The main legislation relating to dog fouling is dealt with under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Part IV). This only applies to England; legislation is slightly different in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. (Information from Keep Britain Tidy website. www.keepbritaintidy.org )

Under section 87 of the 1990 Act it Is an offence to throw down, drop or otherwise deposit, and then leave, litter. The offence now applies to all places that are open to the air, including private land and land covered by water. A person found guilty of the litter offence may be fined up to level 4 on the standard scale (currently £2500) in a magistrates' court. Local authorities can also give offenders the option of paying a fixed penalty notice rather than go to court.