After massive and continued interest in possible on-the-spot fines for irresponsible dog owners, it has become clear that many people are confused about what alternative options are available and how they might work (Are dog fines barking mad or a cynical

After massive and continued interest in possible on-the-spot fines for irresponsible dog owners, it has become clear that many people are confused about what alternative options are available and how they might work (Are dog fines barking mad or a cynical ploy? H&H March 15).

People also seem unaware that we are looking at the new legislation in this area to see if it could help solve some of the difficulties caused by the current by-laws.

So, we have added to the information on Camden's website and included a new quick and easy questionnaire, through which we encourage all your readers to have their say.

If you live or work in the borough you can give your views by filling this out on the council's website www.camden.gov.uk until 12 April 2007. Anyone without internet access can apply for a questionnaire over the phone on 020 7974 6914 or by writing to Street Environment Services - Dog Control Order, Camden Town Hall, Argyle Street, London WC1H 8EQ.

Even if you have already responded to the consultation, it would greatly help if you could fill in the questionnaire if you wish to.

The tick box questionnaire asks people to say what they think about the following options becoming possible offences, enforceable with an £80 fixed penalty notice:

q Dog owners not picking up their dog's mess;

q Not keeping a dog on a lead in Camden parks and streets;

q Not putting a dog on a lead when asked to by an authorised officer;

q Allowing dogs to enter excluded zones, for example a children's playground or picnic area;

q Being in charge of more than a particular number of dogs at the same time.

If any of the proposals are agreed, they would not apply to Primrose Hill or Regent's Park. Also, the dogs on lead proposals would not apply to Hampstead Heath, or dog exercise areas in Camden parks.

The consultation lists some proposals for dog exercise areas, but we would need to look at adding to these if the option to keep dogs on leads in parks were to be adopted.

We want to find a way to make sure our parks and streets suffer less from dog mess and attacks, but ensure that owners still have space to exercise their pets.

And we want to make sure that we have the support of responsible dog owners on what we are proposing. If you have a view on this, please do fill out a questionnaire so we can listen to what you think before making a decision.

Cllr Keith Moffitt

Leader of Camden Council

Cllr Mike Greene

Executive Member for Environment