ATTENTION ALL DOG OWNERS IN BRIGG AND DISTRICT

All dog owners living in Brigg and district should be aware of a 'get tough on dog fouling' warning issued by North Lincolnshire Council.
The local authority is also asking people to report incidents where dog owners do not clean up after their pets.

FROM SARAH HOWE, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

Cllr Ralph Ogg, in his new role as cabinet member for Safer, Greener, Cleaner Places at North Lincolnshire Council, is promising tough action on those who fail to clean up after their dog. Increasing the cost of on-the-spot fines is also being considered in a bid to clamp down.
It costs taxpayers around £1m each year to keep North Lincolnshire streets clean - that is for littering, flytipping and dog fouling.
Not only is it costly to clean up the mess, you can also catch diseases which can cause you to go blind. Children in particular are more likely to come into contact when out playing in parks and woodland.
Cllr Ogg, pictured above with Jet, wants to see communities get on board and report anything they see so the council can take action.
He continued: "We all want cleaner, safer and greener streets and parks. Dog fouling is a problem, it is costing taxpayers for the council to clean up the mess, not to mention the diseases you can catch. The message is simple - clean up after your dog."
Currently, people could receive an on-the-spot fine of £80 (reduced to £50 if paid within 10 days). If taken to court, the maximum fine on conviction is currently £1,000.
The council needs as much information as possible before it can act.  
This includes: 

• Name and if possible address of the dog owner
• Times of when it happens and if there are specific times of the day
• Any local knowledge

You can report dog fouling online at www.northlincs.gov.uk/dogfouling
Cllr Ogg continued: "Increasing the cost of on-the-spot fines is something we are currently considering in a bid to clamp down on dog fouling and help make our streets and parks cleaner and safer. It is not only costly to clean up the mess, but it is also harmful. Dog fouling can cause diseases, especially among young people and the elderly."
"I am appealing to people to ensure if they witness someone failing to clean up after their dog, to report it. I know the vast majority of dog owners act responsibly. It is the minority who we need to target. So if you have any information at all that would help us, please tell us by reporting it online."
Toxocariasis is a rare infection caused by roundworm parasites. Humans can catch it from handling soil or sand contaminated with infected animal faeces.
Roundworm parasites are most commonly found in cats, dogs and foxes, and usually affect young children.
This is because children are more likely to come into contact with contaminated solid when they play and put their hands in their mouths. Though cases have been reported in people of all ages.

Signs and Symptoms
For most people, an infection with these roundworm larvae causes no symptoms and the parasite die within a few months.
However, some people experience mild symptoms, such as:

• A cough
• High temperature of 38C or above
• Headaches
• Stomach pain

In rare cases, the roundworm larvae infect organs such as the liver, lung s, eyes or brain and cause severe symptoms, such as:

• Loss of appetite or weight loss
• Skin rashes
• Wheezing or breathing difficulties
• Seizures (fits)
• Blurred or cloudy vision, usually only affecting one eye
• A very red and painful eye

For more details, visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/toxocariasis