Once in a while, a
local story crops up that proves both thought-provoking
and amusing. The story of the Friends of Bedelands
Farm Nature Reserve wanting on the spot
fines for owners of dogs that don't pick up
their pooches turds has proved to be one of
those stories.
There is a large group of volunteers that work
extremely hard to keep the nature reserve in
tiptop condition. They are fed up with their
back breaking efforts being tarnished by the
presence of dog excrement. The group have asked
the district council to implement their dog
control powers.
The big question here
is... How on earth do they expect to inplement
this system?
Think about it. Bedelands Farm is a huge area
featuring many open fields and areas of woodland.
How can the entire area be affectively monitored
to ensure that the culprits are correctly
identified and sanctioned?
We here at Burgess Hill Uncovered have come
up with some ideas as to how the area could
be policed with vary ranges of plausibility.
CCTV
Will we see the implementation of CCTV throughout
the area with a little old fat man in a control
room zooming in everytime he suspects a dog
is about to squat? Bedelands farm could be
ring-fenced with only certain entry points,
each guarded by security. They can detain
any dog walkers that the CCTV operator suspects
of not cleaning up after their dog.
Disguise
Just like in comedy films, security could
dress as trees, with binoculars, spying on
the dog walkers, when they see an offence,
they can confront the deviant on the spot.
Chaperones
With unemployment topping 2.4million, why
not introduce a system where all dog walkers
have to be accompanied by a chaperone for
the duration of their walk around the nature
reserve. You could charge for units of 30
minutes, at a cost of £5 per unit.
Pay as you walk If you enter Bedelands farm with a dog,
a mandatory entrance fee could be charged.
This fee will pay for the wages of team of
poo collectors.
Conclusion There really doesn't seem to be any system
that can be inplicated without either costing
a large amount of money to set up or that
doesn't offend those dog walkers that do clear
up after their four-legged companions. Even
if a dog walker is spotted not picking up
poo, DNA results will prove costly if the
crime is ever disputed. How much trouble will
the District Council really go to? I think
the Friends of Bedelands Farm group will have
to accept that dog excrement is inevitable
and just allow nature to take its course with
biodegradation.
Our Video Guide To Bedelands Farm Nature
Reserve A few years ago, we made a guide to Bedelands
Farm, if you've not seen it before, now is
your chance to enjoy it!
What
do you think about this issue?
Let us know your thoughts by emailing news@burgesshilluncovered.co.uk
Conclusion