I refer to the story (BEN, December 29) headed: Council gets tough on dog fouling'.

Bolton Council says it intends to adopt plans and powers to fine offenders under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. Would someone from the Council please explain to me and the rest of the public how they intend to enforce these new powers that will be introduced by next April, because the laws that are currently in force do certainly not be seen to be working.

The Council goes on to list 12 examples of land covered by the act. From my own experience in the area where I live, these laws are already being flouted daily.

Cllr Bernard Ramsden says that responsible dog owners have nothing to fear from this legislation. I suggest that irresponsible dog owners have very little to fear from these new laws also.

Cllr Ramsden says that most dog owners are responsible. On what does he base that? Can he give us any percentage figures on responsible or irresponsible owners? I think not. Around the area where I live the responsible owners are certainly in the minority.

Laws are made to be broken, and these will be constantly broken by irresponsible owners who don't clean up their dogs excrement, and by owners who turn their dogs out first thing in the morning to roam the streets and parks all day.

And the most important question of all, will the Council have people out on the streets enforcing this legislation, to make sure that it has the necessary clout to make it work? I somehow think not.

J Hodkinson

Banbury Street, Tonge Park.

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