Highland team tackles dog fouling during national Poop Scoop Week
Dog fouling is one of the main areas of concern for residents in the Highlands and that is why the Council is playing its part during this week’s National Poop Scoop Week to persuade dog owners to keep their communities clean and tidy and to “grab it, bag it and bin it”.
Through this week staff have been handing out free poop scoop bags and speaking to dog owners in towns, villages, on beaches and on Friday they were in Inverness City Centre.
Councillor Graham Phillips, Chairman of The Highland Council’s TECS Committee, said: “As an owner of two Westies, I know how important it is to always carry a supply of poop scoop bags which are available free of charge from all our Service Points. But bagging the dog waste isn’t enough. People need to ensure that they either take the bag home with them or take the bag to the nearest convenient bin. Dedicated dog waste bins are provided along popular walking routes so there is no excuse not to use them.
“I live near a beautiful beach and allowing a dog to foul on a beach is particularly worse than most other places as children remove socks and shoes and play in the sand. The dangers of coming into contact with dog faeces is higher than elsewhere. Therefore I am delighted that our officers have been supporting the “grab it, bag it, bin it” national campaign and getting out and about to talk to people and make them aware of their duties as responsible dog owners.”
National Poop Scoop Week is a joint campaign organised by the Dogs Trust and Keep Scotland Beautiful. Senior National Officer Rachel Kerr has been in the Highlands this week working with Council staff. She said: “It is fantastic that the Highland Council is taking part in National Poop Scoop Week 2012.
“Keep Scotland Beautiful has recorded a reduction in overall levels of dog fouling on our streets in recent years, but it still offends a significant number of people in public spaces. Approximately 1,000 tonnes of dog poo is produced a day in the UK, and while the majority of owners are responsible and pick up after their dogs, a careless minority are still leaving the mess behind for others to step in, and each year thousands of complaints are made about dog fouling spoiling our parks and streets. It is illegal not to pick up after your dog. You can be fined £40 so it makes sense to bag the waste and place it in the nearest convenient bin, and please don’t just leave the bag for others to find.
“It is great having the support of local councils such as the Highland Council, as it really does help to spread the ‘Grab it, bag it, bin it’ message.”