Follow the Yellow Brick Road? In Thanet, It’s a Poo-Lined Hopscotch Path

Across Thanet, including Margate and Cliftonville, what should be a pleasant stroll through neighbourhood streets or local parks has become a game of dodging dog poo, especially during the darker winter months when long grass and dim lighting mask the mess left behind by irresponsible dog owners. This is not just an inconvenience; it’s a health hazard and a quality-of-life issue for residents, families, and visitors alike.

Dog fouling has long been a thorny issue for local councils, but in Thanet, the problem seems to have reached an all-time low. The pavements, paths, and green spaces tell a grim story. As the nights draw in earlier, and the lack of proper enforcement becomes evident, residents across the district are asking a crucial question: how many fines for dog fouling have actually been issued in recent years?

Thanet’s Love for PSPOs: Does It Include Dog Fouling?

Thanet District Council is no stranger to Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs), which aim to regulate behaviour in public areas. The council has implemented a specific PSPO addressing dog fouling and control across the district, including Cliftonville and Margate.

The PSPO, effective from October 2023 for three years, includes key measures such as:

1. Dog Fouling: It is an offence if a dog defecates on public land and the person in charge fails to remove it immediately.
2. Carrying Waste Bags: Dog owners must carry a suitable receptacle for faeces.
3. Leads and Exclusion Areas: Dogs must be kept on leads in certain areas and are excluded from places like children’s play zones and some beaches during peak seasons.
4. Wildlife Protection: Owners are responsible for preventing dogs from disturbing wildlife on council-owned or controlled land.

Non-compliance with the PSPO can result in a fixed penalty notice of £100. Additionally, the council has introduced a Faeces Intake Disposal Operation (FIDO) machine to help keep public spaces clean.

While these measures provide a framework for action, questions remain about their effectiveness. How many fines have been issued? Are patrols active and visible? Residents are concerned that while the PSPO exists on paper, the lack of consistent enforcement means its potential remains unrealised.

A Problem That’s Not Being Addressed

While the law mandates that dog owners clean up after their pets, enforcement across Thanet appears ineffective at best. Without visible deterrents or significant consequences, irresponsible dog owners feel emboldened to continue leaving messes behind.

Residents in Cliftonville, Margate, and surrounding areas feel that the council’s current approach is failing, leaving communities to deal with the unpleasant and unsanitary consequences. Many question why other councils seem capable of managing this issue effectively while Thanet struggles to make meaningful progress.

Lessons From Other Councils

Other local authorities have taken significant steps to combat dog fouling, offering practical examples for Thanet to follow:

Dover District Council: Dover has partnered with private enforcement agencies like Waste Investigation Support and Enforcement Limited (WISE). This collaboration includes regular patrols and £100 fines, leading to cleaner public spaces.

Cornwall Council: Cornwall’s “Pink Poo” campaign sprays uncollected waste with biodegradable pink paint, shaming offenders into compliance and reducing fouling incidents.

Keep Britain Tidy Campaigns: Councils partnering with Keep Britain Tidy have seen significant reductions in dog fouling through the use of glow-in-the-dark “We’re Watching You” posters, which remind dog owners of their responsibilities.

Why Does It Matter?

Dog fouling is not just unsightly; it’s a public health risk. Dog faeces can carry harmful bacteria like E. coli and parasites like toxocara canis, which can cause blindness in children if accidentally ingested. Beyond health concerns, the pervasive presence of dog mess creates an impression of neglect and disorder, undermining efforts to improve Thanet’s reputation as a desirable place to live and visit.

Parks and green spaces, meant for recreation, are often spoiled by the mess. For families or residents who enjoy exercising outdoors, these areas become uninviting. Long grass and poorly lit areas exacerbate the problem, as they make it harder to avoid the hazards.

What Needs to Change?

The current situation demands immediate action across Thanet. The council must implement a more robust enforcement plan that includes:

1. Active Enforcement of the PSPO
   Thanet already has a PSPO in place, but it needs to be actively enforced. Visible patrols, consistent issuing of fines, and public reporting on the number of penalties could act as a deterrent.
2. External Enforcement Partnerships
   Like Dover, the council could collaborate with private enforcement agencies to patrol hotspots and issue fines to offenders.
3. Community Awareness Campaigns
   Awareness initiatives, such as Cornwall’s “Pink Poo” campaign, could highlight the scale of the problem and encourage compliance in hotspots.
4. Investment in Infrastructure
   Better lighting in problem areas, regular maintenance of grassed spaces, and more accessible waste bins would help alleviate the issue.
5. Expanded Patrols and Reporting
   Increasing the presence of enforcement officers during peak times, combined with transparent reporting on their activities, would build trust and accountability.

Time for Real Solutions

While the PSPO offers a promising framework, its effectiveness hinges on consistent enforcement and community cooperation. Residents of Thanet, including Cliftonville and Margate, deserve better—a cleaner, safer environment that reflects pride in the district.

Until tangible action is taken, Thanet will remain stuck playing a grim game of hopscotch along its poo-lined streets. It’s time for the council to follow the example of other successful initiatives and deliver real results.

Let’s stop talking about solutions and start implementing them—because residents shouldn’t have to risk their health and sanity every time they step outside.