Dog fouling campaign re-launched
Monday, February 1 2010
Scottish Borders Council (SBC) Wardens have re-launched the campaign against dog fouling this month, with attention being given to problem areas on specific days in a bid to raise awareness, educate members of the public and take enforcement action against offenders.
Every effort will be taken to get the message across that dog owners need to take responsibility for the waste of their own dogs. Fixed Penalty Notices will be issued to offenders not willing to clean up after their dog.
The Wardens service is part of the Safer Communities Team and uses ‘intelligence-led’ methods of tackling the problem - with information from Police and anti-social behaviour databases.
Waste Strategy & SB Wardens Manager Julie Rankine said: “Dog fouling is a major concern for many and we are determined to stamp it out. Most people are aware of the issues surrounding dog waste and take a responsible attitude towards clearing up. However, we will be taking stricter action from now on against dog owners who do not make any attempt to clear up after their animals.
“We are keen to develop ways to deal with this problem and will be looking at how we can get our communities more directly involved. The recent spell of letters in the press damning the offenders highlights just how much of an annoyance this matter is and we are keen to work with local residents and would ask them to report offenders in their area to us.”
Councillor Len Wyse, Executive Member for Environmental Services, said: “The amount of snow seen across the Borders during December and January seems to have had a detrimental effect on some dog owners’ abilities to clean up after their dog. Instead of picking up their dog waste, it seems to have been just as easy to cover it with snow! The new Wardens service does deal with this issue, amongst many others.”
The wardens work in the local community and are normally tasked with:
• acting as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the community
• giving advice on crime prevention and neighbourhood watch schemes
• deterring anti-social behaviour and monitoring anti-social behaviour orders for compliance
• assisting with community projects and acting as professional witnesses
• reporting vandalism and areas where repairs are needed to the appropriate organisations
• dealing with environmental issues - contacting service providers for the removal of litter, graffiti and needles and tackling dog fouling
To report dog fouling call freephone 0300 100 1800.
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