South Ayrshire Council News

South Ayrshire Council, Keep Scotland Tidy and Strathclyde Police join forces with some rather large furry four-legged friends to promote.
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South Ayrshire Council is encouraging residents across South Ayrshire to 'grab it, bag it bin it' this week as it lends its support to the Dogs Trust and Keep Scotland Tidy's National Poop Scoop Week 2010, which runs until Sunday 1 August

During National Poop Scoop Week, Keep Scotland Tidy and the Dogs Trust join forces with local Councils across the country to remind people they must clean up after their dogs – or they could receive a £40 fine.

The key message is that – in just three easy steps – dog owners/walkers can help reduce the dog fouling problems on our streets by grabbing the waste in a bag, turning the bag inside out to 'bag' the mess and tying it securely, and binning it in any suitable bin: a household bin, a public litter bin or a designated dog waste bin.

Poop Scoop Week got underway as South Ayrshire Council launched its own new dog fouling campaign, which is designed to increase awareness of the responsibilities of dog owners and the financial penalties they face if they don't lift their dog's mess.

However, the penalty could be much worse as dog faeces can pass on an infection called roundworm, which can cause abdominal pain, shortnesss of breath, vision loss and even blindness, particularly in children.

Councillor Peter Convery, South Ayrshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Sustainability and the Environment, said: "The need for National Poop Scoop Week shows just how much of a scourge dog fouling is on communities across the country and, the sad thing is – it is a problem that is easily remedied.

"All you have to do is grab it, bag it, bin it and the problem is gone. It really couldn't be simpler. I hope the many activities taking place across the country to promote National Poop Scoop Week will be a reminder to everyone of how easy it is to clean up after your dog.

"We are committed in South Ayrshire to ridding our towns, villages, parks, open spaces and beaches of dog mess and the health risks it brings. Our new campaign will ensure we put that message across not just this week, but every week."

Keep Scotland Tidy Campaigns Officer, Valerie Carson, said: "It is fantastic that South Ayrshire Council has launched its new dog fouling campaign around National Poop Scoop Week 2010. National Poop Scoop Week is a joint campaign organised by the Dogs Trust and Keep Scotland Tidy, which aims to remind dog walkers in a fun and friendly way to 'Grab it, bag it, bin it'.

"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. And 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 South Ayrshire, as it really does help to spread the 'Grab it, bag it, bin it' message, and we hope the campaign is a huge success."

For further information on South Ayrshire Council's dog fouling campaign and to get advice on responsible dog ownership, visit www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/dogfouling. You can report offenders by calling 0845 601 2020 or by email: environmental.health@south-ayrshire.gov.uk.