Campaign to clean up our communities
Last updated at 15:01, Friday, 20 April 2012
TODAY the Evening Mail launches its ‘Scoop the Poop’ campaign.
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Hundreds of readers have been in touch to complain about dog muck blighting our streets, parks and public areas.
Now we are declaring a month-long crackdown on irresponsible dog owners.Over the next four weeks, we aim to highlight the problem areas throughout south and west Cumbria and look at ways to stop it.
Community campaigners have widely backed our drive to rid the streets of dog muck.
Barrow and Furness MP, John Woodcock, said: “Allowing dogs to foul public areas rightly drives people up the wall – including the responsible majority of dog owners who clean up after their animals.
“It blights whole communities, and I particularly feel for mums and dads whose young children end up having to dodge dog dirt when they are out playing.
“I am right behind the Evening Mail’s campaign to crack down on this menace and urge everyone to play their part by challenging and reporting people who let their dogs foul public areas.”
Barrow Borough Council leader, councillor Dave Pidduck, said: “Any councillor on Barrow Borough Council will tell you that, irrespective of ward, dog fouling is the most numerous complaint that we get.
“It is only a few people that do it. The overwhelming majority of dog owners behave in a responsible manor.”
South Lakes MP, Tim Farron, said: “I wholly endorse the North-West Evening Mail’s campaign. The problem of dog fouling is anti-social and a threat to health, and is a matter that concerns me personally, along with thousands of my constituents.
“I love taking my children for walks locally, and am always angered when those walks are partly spoiled by the presence of dog muck.
“Most dog owners are responsible and clear up after their pets – it’s important that we encourage the offending minority to follow their good example.”
Councillor Pat Jones, the mayor of Ulverston, said: “The dog fouling situation in Ulverston is bad.
“I’ve had a woman scream at me ‘what do you expect my dog to do?’ I have nothing against the dog, just pick up its mess.”
Copeland MP, Jamie Reed, said: “I want to see our streets free from dog fouling, caused by the inconsideration of some dog owners.
“Everyone should be responsible for cleaning up after their pets and this is why this campaign has my full support.”
Millom Town Councillor Frank McPhillips said the town council was in full support of the campaign.
He said: “There are areas in the town where irresponsible dog owners let their dogs foul in the streets.
“If they own a dog they should be responsible for it so we definitely back this campaign.”
First published at 13:07, Monday, 02 April 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
100% agree with this campaign. The streets are disgusting. Just lately it seems to be getting worse. I am fed up of walking face to the ground, to avoid stepping in or trailing my skirts through this stomach churning filth. There is no excuse for this anti-social and unhygienic behaviour. Most dog owners are responsible, but a few create a nuisance for everybody else. People who do not scoop the poop are thoughtless. It is particularly horrible for people who use their hands to push a wheel chair and the wheel turns round with dog dirt on it. At Christmas my brother in law did not see some dog dirt on the pavement and pushed his baby son's buggy through some dog poo. It was a revolting job getting it cleaned off, because the poo got stuck in the spokes. Just spare a thought for others. The problem would probably reduce if the culprits were caught and fined. In the meantime a campaign and the courage to confront this behaviour could finally drum it in that it is unacceptable to let your dog foul and not clean up.
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Well said D Richardson. As a responsible dog-owner who believes dog muck is disgusting, I find the levels of litter on our streets and apparent apathy surrounding it deplorable, and there seems to be a lot of hypocrisy surrounding the dog poo campaign. For those whining about dog mess, how many of you stoop to put litter in the bin, or do you walk past it?
Posted by Philm on 16 April 2012 at 11:10