Dog owners in Wandsworth are being reminded about by-laws which prevent dogs entering prohibited areas such as playgrounds and other amenities.

Anyone in charge of a dog will be prosecuted if they allow it to foul anywhere on council estates apart from in the gutter of roads.

It also an offence for them to foul paths and footways, parking spaces and other hard surfaces not in the prohibited areas, which also include greens and cultivated spaces.

Dogs must also be kept on a lead at all times while on estates and prevented from causing annoyance to other people.

Anyone breaching these by-laws can be taken to court and face fines of up to £500 if convicted.

In July a woman was seen exercising her dog on a grassed communal area on the Alton Estate in Roehampton by officers from the council's dog control section. She admitted the offence at South Western Magistrates' Court and was fined £10 with £10 costs.

Last month a woman on the Lennox Estate was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £125 by magistrates after her dog fouled a communal grass area.

Cabinet member for housing Councillor Carol Humphries said it was important people are aware of the rules and the potential health risks, particularly to children, from dog mess. Some bacteria can cause blindness.

She added: "Irresponsible and thoughtless owners should be warned we are on their case. Our dog control staff regularly patrol estates and anyone who thinks they can ignore the rules and show no regard for their neighbours will soon find out what it feels like to stand in the dock."

December 7, 2001 12:01