A message from the Interim Chief Fire Officer of West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, Gary Ball:

Good afternoon,

Thank you to all of you who have already taken part in our public consultation on the proposals for our next Community Risk Management Plan and shared your views.

This plan will set out the direction of the fire service for the next four years, and so we are really keen to hear from as many people as possible as part of this public consultation to ensure we are supporting the needs of all residents living and working in our communities.

We are now around half way through our 12 week public consultation period, so if you haven’t yet completed the short online survey I would really encourage you to do so before it closes on September 22 to ensure that we have the widest range of views from our communities as possible.

If you are able to raise awareness of this public consultation with your councillors by sharing this email with them to encourage them to have their say too I really would appreciate any support you are able to provide in helping us spread the message far and wide.

Our consultation can be completed online, or by filling out a paper copy of the consultation. If you would like a paper copy, please either email yourfireservice@westsussex.gov.uk or 01243 786211 and one will be sent out.

Thank you,

Gary

District Dispatch

In the UK, we’re a nation of dog lovers — and the numbers prove it. As of 2024, around 36% of UK households own at least one dog, which adds up to an incredible 13.5 million pet dogs across the country!

The vast majority of dog owners are responsible and always clean up after their pets. However, a small number still leave dog mess behind — creating a nuisance for others and posing serious health and environmental risks.

This is an issue that many of our residents feel strongly about, and it’s why we’re committed to working with you to tackle dog fouling across the Chichester District. Dog fouling is not only unpleasant — it’s dangerous. A single gram of dog waste can contain up to 23 million faecal coliform bacteria, which if ingested can cause cramps, diarrhoea, and even kidney disorders in humans.

Worse still, dog mess can carry roundworm eggs (Toxocara), which can lead to a serious illness called toxocariasis. This condition can cause skin rashes, breathing difficulties, seizures, and even blindness. These eggs become infectious after 10–21 days and can survive in soil or sand for months if not picked up immediately.

We provide hundreds of dog waste bins across the district, issue Fixed Penalty Notices to offenders, and run a dedicated awareness campaign. But we can’t do it alone — we need your help.

If you fail to clean up after your dog, you could receive a Fixed Penalty Notice of £150. If unpaid, this could lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000. Bagging the waste but leaving it behind is also considered littering, which also risks a fine of £150 and poses a threat to wildlife.

Please remember, once bagged, dog waste can be placed in any public litter bin — not just dog-specific ones. You can even put it in your own domestic waste bin. To help keep our district beautiful, we’re encouraging all dog owners to join our Green Dog Walkers® Scheme — a friendly, community-led initiative that promotes responsible dog ownership.

By signing up, you pledge to always clean up after your dog; dispose of waste bags responsibly; carry extra bags and offer them to others; and be a positive role model for fellow dog walkers.

As a thank you, you’ll receive a welcome pack, including a special enamel badge to wear on your coat or dog lead — showing that you and your dog are proud to be part of the scheme.

Green Dog Walkers is a proven, non-confrontational way to change attitudes and reduce dog fouling. It complements our enforcement efforts and educational campaigns, creating a cleaner, safer environment for everyone. It’s really easy to join, just fill out our form at:www.chichester.gov.uk/greendogwalkers

This scheme is part of our award winning district-wide ‘Against Litter’ campaign, which aims to keep our district beautiful. This is something I will be telling you more about over the coming months. However, you can also find out more about the work we are doing on this and how you can get involved at: www.chichester.gov.uk/againstlitter

I’d also encourage you to sign up to our monthly email newsletter at: www.chichester.gov.uk/newsalerts. This aims to keep you up to date with news and events from across the district.

Best Wishes,

Cllr Jonathan Brown

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environmental Strategy at Chichester District Council