DOG owners who fail to scoop their pets’ poop will be targeted as part of a new Moyne Shire campaign.
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The council is telling dog owners to “pick up or pay up”, with $100 on-the-spot fines to be handed out by local laws officers.
Moyne Shire mayor Jim Doukas said the initiative was in response to concerns from Port Fairy residents who were disappointed about the amount of dog excrement in public places, with East Beach and Russell Clarke Reserve highlighted as areas of concern.
We have put new signs around town and filled the dog poo bag dispensers. It’s now the owners’ choice – pick up or pay up.
- Moyne mayor Jim Doukas
“People have been telling us that it’s a problem and they’d like council to go hard on offenders,” Cr Doukas said.
“We know most dog owners do the right thing, but a few ignore the law. We have put new signs around town and filled the dog poo bag dispensers. It’s now the owners’ choice – pick up or pay up.”
Local law officers will be patrolling public spaces as much as possible.
Owners who fail to clean up their dog’s doings will be fined $100, as will owners who are walking their dogs without a dog poo bag or pooper-scooper.
It is an offence under Moyne Shire’s local laws to walk a dog without the means to clean up its mess.
“We don’t like fining people, we’d much rather educate and inform but this time we’re getting tough,” Cr Doukas said.
“If you’re caught by one of our authorised officers, they will fine you – no exceptions.”
In June last year, Moyne Shire installed 15 dog poo bag dispensers across the shire.
At the moment, local laws officers are focused on Port Fairy, but other towns will be targeted in the future.
Dog poo bag dispensers are located at East Beach, South Beach, Russell Clarke Reserve, Gardens Caravan Park, and Southcombe Park Caravan Park. Bags are also available at the Moyne Shire offices and the Port Fairy Visitor Information Centre.
