Eyes on dark night poop scoop dodgers
Big Brother style campaign to tackle mess
DOG WALKERS who dodge ‘scooping the poop’ under the cover of darkness are being targeted in a new Big Brother style campaign.
The initiative is being launched by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council after research showed dog fouling was more prevalent at night and in the winter when owners feel they can’t be seen.
In conjunction with environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy the campaign involves glow-inthe-dark signs featuring menacing eyes and warning “We’re watching you”.
The pavement stencils and pole signs are being installed by council officers while members of the authority’s clean neighbourhood team will mount extra patrols around hot spots and tour schools with educational messages about “the smelly truth”.
Dog waste bags and ‘report it’ cards will be given out to parents.
Executive member for neighbourhood services, Councillor Mark Nickerson said: “The vast majority of dog owners are responsible people who habitually pick up after their dog and dispose of the poo bags correctly, either in the nearest bin or by taking home to dispose of in their own household waste bin.
“But feedback from residents has told us that those who don’t pick up after their dogs create a real issue as it’s by far seen as the most unacceptable and dirtiest type of litter. That’s why we have a zero tolerance approach to dog fouling and anyone caught allowing their dog, or any dog they are in charge of, to mess in a public place, may be issued with the fine. This used to be £50 but under the new Public Space Protection Order it has now risen to £100.”
Dog fouling around schools is seen as a major problem. Last year one parent of a child at Burbage Juniors said she counted 17 piles of dog mess in the streets on the way to the school. Nearby Grove Road and Salem Road have long been identified as hotspots along with The Narrows in Hinckley, between Stoneygate Drive and John Street, Kirkby Road in Barwell and Park Road in Earl Shilton.
However, the council says any alleyway, jitty or green space could be called a hotspot, as these locations are where most of the problems occur.
Members of the public can submit a report of irresponsible dog ownership to the council at any time, giving as much information as possible.
In nearly all cases the witness will remain anonymous while action can be taken against the offenders.
To report a dog owner who doesn’t pick up after their dog please contact the clean neighbourhood team on Hinckley 255977.