Forum Topic

Dog poo in Northfields

(This is not the most glamorous post I've ever written, but there you go.)What is going on with the massive amounts of dog crap on the streets off Northfields Ave? It is *rank*. There were 10-15 between Mayfield Road and The Forester this evening. It seems to have really got bad in the last year.Is there a SLA on how often the pavements are cleaned? Currently the only thing that gets rid of the them is the rain.I've complained to the council, not had a response.  I'm guessing regular street cleaning and a few signs is all they can realistically do (not 100% that they'd manage that though).

Caspar Mason ● 4780d15 Comments

Yes, told a dog owner their dog had done poos in the grass of Walpole Park and pointed to the place - he said "You nosey old git - mind your own business."  He was bigger than i am, so I skulked away beaten.

Gerry Tan ● 4773d

I have noticed 'an increase' walking down Elthorne Park Road and also in the Park. Odd really. Have people just stopped picking up? It is a shame because it gives us dog owners a bad reputation and not surprisingly makes the community less tolerant of dogs. Odder still are those dog owners who pick up the poo and leave the soiled poo bag on the pavement. Anyone tried saying anything to a dog owner who has not 'picked up'?

Ros Harrison ● 4774d

It's the dog owners who are the culprits. Last year in Singapore, the streets were completly clear of dog mess - i wish the same could be said of Ealing's pavements, footpaths and walkways.

Gerry Tan ● 4774d

Good idea!Is it the act of the dog doing the pooping that is the offence in Singapore, or the failure of the owner to clear it up immediately afterwards?(Hopefully it is the latter, as it must be damnedly difficult to persuade 100% of all dogs to keep it in until the designated area is reached...)

Tony Colliver ● 4775d

Yes, spitting is an offence.The police seem distinctly disinterested in most things these days it seems to me.

Tony Colliver ● 4775d

Ignorance is no defence, I could be wrong but i think the laws are already there, I cannot understand why they are not inforced. I have seen people spitting on so many times and the police have also witnessed it but they say nothing. Or am I wrong? Is spitting an offence?

Marie Shelny ● 4775d

No more street signs please Michael. There are too many as it is.What we want is a government/local authority like that in Singapore. An immediate fine for anyone spitting, jay walking, litter dropping, dog poo'ing, urinating, causing a disturbance or behaving anti-socially, eating or chewing gum etc. No hesitation, fine on the spot and a hefty fine at that.  Result?...absolutely clean streets, pavements and public places. Singaporeans are fiercely proud of their clean and safe streets and city amenities - just what we need in sunny Ealing today!PS:  Please don't tell me to go back to Singapore if I like it so much. I love it in Ealing too.

Gerry Tan ● 4776d

Paan spitting, dogs messing and even humans defacating in streets and parks is rising both in Ealing and Brentford.The stains of Paan are evident at several 65 and E2 bus stops.It is also rather prevalent around betting shops, quite why I cannot fathom.It has been reported to TfL and the council several times but what is needed are signs.As usual, nothing has been done apart from the usual hot air.These disgusting habits are a health hazard and spitting has been a bye-law offence since 1950. Part of the drive to eradicate TB.It can be no co-incidence that the rapid increase and new strain immunity to TB is on the increase particularly in Hounslow, Brent and Ealing.It's funny that councils are more than keen to raise fines for parking and easy targets but more than reluctant to issue fines for offences that really can do harm.Signs need to be on Bus stops, in parks and on lamp posts so one can be in no doubt it is an offence and thus not be able to claim ignorance.

Michael Brandt ● 4776d

Try the streets around Carlyle road, Junction road in south Ealing - always a good collection of dog turds and has been worse of the last few months. Navigating toddlers to school is like crossing a minefield. Thanks dog owners!

Andrew Benfield ● 4776d

Hi Phil.Thanks for getting back to me (and going for the walk)The problem isn't on Northfield Ave itself, it's on the residential streets. Try that walk again using Northcroft Road and see what you reckon.Is there a number for the envirocrime officer? It really is a persistent, horrible problem.

Caspar Mason ● 4779d

I've also noticed dark patches on the pavements of Northfield Ave - its not the dreaded chewing gum - I think its the munching of betel nuts. Dreadful habit.

Gerry Tan ● 4779d

George,I really don't know.  There is an SLA like that for dead animals I vaguely recall.

Phil Taylor ● 4779d

It was my impression that if you phoned the Council the Enterprise mob are contracted to deal with this problem in 60 minutes.Phil is this right?

George Knox ● 4780d

Caspar,I had a good look at the west side of Northfield Avenue from Mayfield north to the Forester just now.  It all looked clear to me.  Not perfect, the pavements aren't as new as any of us would like and they have too much chewing gum stuck them and could do with a jet wash.  But, I didn't see any dog muck.  I talked to four shopowners, including the ebullient Oscar of Oscarsons Pet Supplies, and they didn't identify a particular, repeated problem although one said it had happened now and then over the years.  I did notice quite a few reddish brown stains and I wonder if you are seeing the result of paan spitting, see photo here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Spit_from_chewing_Areca_nut_02.JPGNorthfield Avenue is cleaned at least daily. I will check and ask the envirocrime officer to keep an eye.  Please report back here or mail me directly if you see a problem again.

Phil Taylor ● 4780d

Dog poo on pavements is awful I agree. I have noticed an increase of the amounts of dreadful spit on pavements, especially in Northfield Ave.

Gerry Tan ● 4780d