Need for extra warden for dog control orders

The orders, which require dog owners to either keep their dogs on leads in, or keep them away from, specific public spaces and also oblige them to remove faeces from public land, were implemented in November 2011.

A report on Warwick District Council’s overview and scrutiny committee’s task and finish group’s investigation into the impact and effectiveness of the orders was approved in July and went before the council’s executive committee last week,

The task and finish group has made 20 recommendations for the orders - the first being that the orders remain in force - with the last being that the council creates a new post for a second dog warden at an estimated maximum cost of £25,400 annually to cover salary, and running costs.

The recommendation says: “The district is too wide an area for one officer and the additional member of staff is required if the council wishes to achieve the level of control it wanted when the dog control orders were introduced.”

In response, Cllr Michael Coker (Con, Kenilworth Abbey), the councillor responsible for policy on the environment and community protection, has said he could not support the recommendation in light of the council’s current revenue position but accepts it needs to consider “smarter working to ensure the service can be delivered as efficiently as possible”.

The steering group’s other key recommendations include amendments to the orders to improve their effectiveness, better communication with the public, an ongoing audit on the location of bins and a review of fencing at children’s play areas.