Mansfield District Council is teaming up with the police to remind dog owners across the district of their responsibilities when it comes to looking after their family pet.

A day of action is taking place on Thursday, 28th May in King George V Park from 10am to 12pm and in Berry Hill Park from 12pm to 3pm.

During the day, the police will be targeting dog owners, giving out advice and information on dog control orders, as well as promoting the safe interaction between children and dogs and the importance of good dog training.

MDC’s Dog Control Officer Mark Berrill and Neighbourhood Warden Gary Carter will be encouraging dog owners to follow some simple rules to ensure that Mansfield’s parks, streets and open spaces are safe and pleasant for everyone. The Environment Protection team will also be on hand to answer any queries.

Top tips for responsible dog owners:

•Keep your dog on a lead when walking in the street.
•Make sure your dog wears a collar and the name and address of the owner can be identified.
•Always clean up after your dog.
•Put dog mess in a tightly sealed bag and place in a litter bin or take it home with you and put it in your household waste.
•Keep your dog in sight when off the lead and respect areas where they are excluded.

You could get a fixed penalty notice for failing to clean up your dog’s mess, or allowing your dog to enter restricted areas such as children’s playgrounds and some enclosed sports and leisure facilities.

Executive Mayor at Mansfield District Council Kate Allsop said: “We want to remind dog owners that they have a responsibility to ensure that their pet is well-behaved and does not pose a danger or a nuisance to others. While we welcome dogs in our parks and public spaces, it is important that owners respect dog control orders and clean up after their pets.”

Inspector Neil Priestley, Neighbourhood Policing Inspector for Mansfield said: “Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy Mansfield’s parks and green spaces, which is why we’re proud to be supporting the local council in encouraging dog owners to think about their responsibilities to help keep the local area clean and safe.”