Council told to 'get basics right' over dog complaints

A council has been told it should be doing more to tackle problems with irresponsible dog owners.

The leader of Stockport Labour Group, Coun David Meller, pointed out that there is just one dog warden covering the borough, and that there is "work we can do" over the number of complaints related to dogs and dog fouling.

But the Lib Dems - who run the council under a minority administration - said Stockport is one of three Greater Manchester boroughs to still have a dog warden service at all.

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Coun Meller said: "For me, getting the basics right is vitally important, particularly when people pay so much in council tax.

"With the number of complaints we get, there's work we can do on that."

Rachel McDonald is part of Hazel Grove Mutual Aid, a group set up during the pandemic to support residents.

She said dog fouling is a problem in the area, and that it's a regular topic of complaint on local social media groups.

Some locations without bins for dog poo bags have led to other problems such as dog owners throwing the mess into bushes, Ms McDonald said.

She added: "I'm a wheelchair user and we have problems with dog fouling on the street because I get it on my wheels and then it comes into my house, it's really disgusting.

"In local groups people complain about the problem very often."

Mark Roberts, a Lib Dem councillor and deputy leader at the town hall, said residents can contact the council to identify areas where dog fouling is a problem.

He said: “There is no excuse for leaving dog mess in our parks, pavements or play areas, and the council’s neighbourhoods team will take action on those that do.

"We are