Dog owners in Tenby and across the county could be asked to pay a ‘voluntary annual dog registration fee’ to help fund dealing with ‘innumerable’ dog issues across Pembrokeshire - from fouling to Blue Flag beach byelaws.

Correspondence from PCC’s head of public protection, Mark Elliott, came before members of Tenby Town Council at their meeting on Tuesday night, stating that the authority were seeking support to approach Cabinet Secretary Lesley Griffiths AM, regarding issues communities are experiencing with irresponsible dog ownership and the need to provide a sustainable income stream to combat the cost of tackling dog-related issues.

“I and public protection colleagues receive contact about dog issues on almost a daily basis - failing to keep dogs under control, failing to pick up the mess made by their pets, allowing the dogs to mess in areas where children play etc,” he wrote.

“The impact and cost to society of irresponsible dog ownership is high, notwithstanding the public health dangers from disease,” continued Mr. Elliott, stating that the county’s dog wardens were ‘hard stretched’ to deal with all dog issues across Pembrokeshire.

“I am exploring the possibility of introducing a ‘voluntary dog licensing scheme’ in Pembrokeshire with income hypothecated to dog welfare and control.

“Speaking to responsible dog owners, they recognise the difficulties we face, both financial and otherwise.

“Together with town and community councils recognising the role they can play, we may be able to provide acceptable solutions to deal with the innumerable dog issues, from fouling to Blue Flag beach dog byelaws,” he added.

Responding to the proposals, the town clerk, Andrew Davies, told members that phone calls about irresponsible dog owners in Tenby, was one of the major complaints they received at the town council offices.

Clr. Trevor Hallett said that a previous ‘dog licence’ for owners was done away with some time ago, but that the town council should support any efforts to try and address the problem.

“There are quite a lot of responsible dog owners in the area, but they are being marred by the irresponsible ones,” he said.

Clr. Mrs. Alex Rees questioned the charge mentioned in the proposals of £20 per annum, as she didn’t want elderly dog owners to be hit in the pocket.

“I wouldn’t want to see such a registration fee prove detrimental to elderly people who are on minimum income, as the older generation have their dogs as a companion,” she remarked.

Councillors agreed to support the proposals in principle and stated that they would be willing to engage in further discussions with the county council.