Dog fouling, call to bag it and bin it

Dog owners in Nairn who fail to clean-up after allowing their dogs to foul on the streets, play areas and public open spaces are being urged to ‘bag it and bin it’.

The appeal comes from the Provost of Nairn Councillor Liz Macdonald who says: “Dog fouling is a regular complaint at Community Council Meetings, most dog owners do clean-up after their dogs but the few owners who don’t, have a negative impact on the standard of our public areas. I urge these owners to comply with the law and be responsible by bagging and binning it.”

In 2003, the dog fouling Scotland Act was introduced which made it an offence to fail to clean up after your dog should it foul in a public place. Local Authority Officers and Police Officers can deal with this offence by means of issuing a £40.00 fixed penalty notice.

Community Works Officer for Nairn, Alan Mckinnie said: “The majority of dog owners act responsibly and do clear-up after their dogs, but there is unfortunately a minority who give no consideration to others. Dog fouling has become increasingly unacceptable to the public, the mess created is offensive and unhygienic and can pose a risk to public health, especially children and sportsmen and women.

“To help members of the public act responsibly, The Highland Council within Nairn provide over 70 bins for the disposal of dog waste and members of the public can also collect free “scoop the poop” bags from the Council’s Service Point. Signage throughout the area advises dog owners to “bag it and bin it.” 

Anyone wishing to report incidents of dog fouling should contact The Highland Council’s TEC services on 01667 548548 or visit their local Service Point.

For further information please contact: Alan Mckinnie, Community Works Officer, The Highland Council, TEC Services tel: (01479) 810332.