500 residents sign petition calling for Nelson dog warden (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)

500 residents sign petition calling for Nelson dog warden

8:00pm Friday 22nd March 2013 in Pendle By Chris Gee, Reporter

CALLS for a dedicated dog warden for Nelson will be heard next week after more than 500 people signed a petition.

County councillor George Adam collected hundreds of signatures from residents in the Walverden area calling on the council to take action against those responsible and to step up patrols.

It comes after the Lancashire Telegraph highlighted the plight of Georgia Hill, three, who suffers from a mobility condition and needs a frame and leg braces to walk.

Her mum, Keilli Broome, 28, said there was so much dog dirt near her home on Vicarage Road that Georgia found it difficult avoid it when walking from the family car in the dark.

County Coun Adam will present the petition to Nelson Town Council at the area committee meeting on Monday at 7pm and is calling for those concerned to attend.

He said: “Our wish is that the committee and Pendle Council sponsor a dedicated dog warden to cover Nelson. They currently have just one warden and three enforcement officers for the whole borough.

“The issue is causing major concern to residents. People have to take responsibility for their pet’s mess.

“I think little Georgia having her frame and leg braces affected by dog muck was the last straw and has really angered the folk around here. Hopefully there will be a good turn-out at the meeting on Monday.”

Pendle Council say environmental crime officers patrol the area and anyone caught flouting the law will be hit with a £75 fine.

Coun John David, who is responsible for environmental services, said: “It’s shocking that some dog owners still think it’s acceptable to just leave their pets’ waste on the street.

“It’s not only unsightly and inconvenient but poses a very real health risk to children.”