Dog wardens in Luton are to be told to make the town’s problem pooches pay, to help with cuts to council budgets.
Members of Luton Borough Council’s executive committee have given the go-ahead to changes in the environmental enforcement and dog wardens department, which will see two vacant posts cut and staff required to bring in more than £200,000 by 2016.
A report that went before the council proposed a “new model of dog control”, with “swifter, more effective use of powers to maximise the impact on irresponsible dog ownership issues”.
The service could also operate across a wider area, possibly in partnership with the police or on behalf of another local authority.
But the council would not be drawn on whether the changes amounted to a crackdown on dog fouling on pavements and in parks.
A spokesman would only say: ”We are currently exploring several income generation ideas, including Luton’s national award-winning dog team sharing its wealth of experience and expertise by running training exercises, various courses and working with other local authorities.”
‘Irresponsible dog ownership’ includes: keeping your dog under control; ensuring it is properly trained; taking it for walks every day; clearing up after your dog; grooming your dog; microchipping your dog; ensuring it is wearing a collar and name tag.
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