The Forum

Click on image for the full story

Thanks to community driven measures, our hood has become a much safer place for residents to walk, jog, cycle, play & even take ours dogs for their regular exercise. However, one of the disappointments is the amount of dog excrement on the roadside & verges. This is unpleasant for those walking, running or playing in the area, is a health risk & is clear violation of CoCT By-laws . One of the aims of the OHMCID is to address environment & urban management and to improve the look & feel of the area resulting in improved property values. Verges littered with dog excrement to not help in this regard. Dog excrement can be a source of disease for both humans (especially children) & for other animals. Cleaning up after your dog helps to keep the environment clean &reduces the risk of diseases spreading to people &other animals. Failing to clean up after your dog poops is also against the law. The CoCT Animal By-law 2011 ( published in Province of Western Cape: Provincial Gazette no. 6896 on 5 August 2011, commenced on 5 August 2011 and up to date as at 10 March 2020) applies:   Clause 6. Prohibition relating to the keeping of dogs, states: No person shall - (d) keep any dog the faeces of which he or she fails to remove regularly & dispose of suitably; Clause 11. Removal of excrement, states: (1) If any dog defecates in any public street, public place or public road, any person in control of such dog, excluding a person assisted by a guide dog, shall forthwith remove the excrement, place it in a plastic or paper bag or wrapper & dispose of it in a receptacle provided for the deposit of litter or refuse, excluding a person who is assisted by a guide dog (2) No person shall walk a dog, other than a guide dog, in a public street, public place or public road, without carrying a sufficient number of plastic or paper bags or wrappers, within which to place the excrement of the dog, in the event of the dog defecating OHMCID would encourage property owners & residents who are dog owners to help keep the OHMCID area clean & safe by: Always picking up dog poop when walking your dogs & disposing of it properly Ensuring that your verges are clear of dog poop on a regular basis Picking up dog poop, even in your own property, & especially in areas where children may play Visiting pet stores & vets for eco-friendly bio gradable dog poops bags which can then be placed in a dustbin. They also stock poop scoops which are handy for removing poop easily from your verge or property Please help improve the look, feel and safety of our area by picking up after your dog & ensuring your verge is dog poop free.