Bus ads drive home the dog fouling campaign message
Friday, February 8 2008
Scottish Borders Council’s campaign against dog fouling is continuing with Izar, the four-legged campaign mascot, driving home the message on the back of a fleet of buses.
The bus adverts remind dog-owners that it is a legal requirement to clean up after their dog – or face a fine of £40.
Councillor Len Wyse, Executive Member for Environmental Services said: “It is a dog owner’s responsibility to clean up their dog’s dirt so that no-one’s health is put at risk. We hope that these eye-catching bus ads will catch the eye of dog owners across the Borders and remind them of their responsibilities.”
The Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003 means that fixed penalties of £40 can be issued on the spot to people who do not clean up after their dogs.
Some of the illnesses dog dirt can cause can be serious, so prevention by cleaning up after a pet is very important.
In addition to the buses, 5,000 leaflets are in circulation, and dog warden teams are patrolling the streets to ensure the message is getting through. Their remit is to inform the public of their responsibilities and to prevent dog fouling, but they are also able to serve notices and warn the public where the guidelines are not being followed and have given more than 40 warnings to date since the launch of the campaign in December 2007.
The campaign also involves providing free bio-degradable dog fouling bags (while stocks last). These can be obtained at any Council Contact centre. More than 1,400 bags have been issued so far.
Dog Fouling; There’s no excuse. Bag it, Tie it, Bin it.
For more information visit www.scotborders.gov.uk/dogfouling and if you see anyone breaking the law – and are prepared to testify in court – call 0800 376 1030.
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