Paint plan to stop foul play
Spray bid aims to reduce dog mess
craig.craig.ritchie@ritchie@trinitymirror.trinitymirror.comcom Advertising Advertising lynsey.gair@trinitymirror.com 07393lynsey.gair@762401trinitymirror.com 07393 762401 kirsteen.brown@trinitymirror.com 0141kirsteen.309brown@4312trinitymirror.com 0141 309 4312 A controversial scheme to shame pet owners by spray painting dog mess fluorescent pink, green and blue is starting up across Renfrewshire.
Councillors argue the plan, which is part of the Team Up to Clean Up campaign, will help reduce the persistent problem of dog fouling by highlighting the issue.
Officers will be spraying any dog waste found within the targeted street with biodegradable spray paint, as well as stencils in each street with the message “‘Someone isn’t picking up after their dog…is it you?”.
There will also be informative posters placed in the area as well as enforcement activity carried out to monitor the situation, in a bid to reduce the level of dog fouling in the short and long term.
Councillor Cathy McEwan, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “It is unacceptable for an owner not to pick up after their dog or fail to dispose of it correctly.
“This innovative campaign will force people to sit up and take notice of the problem within their street and think twice before they fail to pick up after their pets again.
“We know there is a large majority of responsible dog owners in Renfrewshire who always ensure they carry a bag with them on their daily walks. It is the minority who don’t that we wish to change.
“If we can grab their attention through this campaign then we can begin to change their behaviour and make our streets safer and cleaner for everyone.”
Council environmental chiefs say the approach has been trialled successfully in other local authority areas across the UK and has seen a significant reduction in the level of dog fouling, as well as a change in the behaviour of dog owners.
However, when the Paisley Daily Express reported the move, councillors labelled it a waste of time and money, arguing that instead of spray painting the mess then returning 48 hours to pick it up, officers should just lift it first time round.
Labour councillor Carolann Davidson, who is member for Paisley East and Central, says the plan is unlikely to tackle the persistent problem of dog fouling
She said: “It’s the latest, stupid, money wasting idea from the administration at Renfrewshire Council.
“They are actually going to spray paint dog fouling with fluorescent paint and leave it for 48 hours before sending out another team to lift it.
“So now, if you step on a poo you’ll also get paint all over your shoes.”
To sign up to be a responsible dog owner in Renfrewshire, go to: www. surveymonkey. com/ r/ responsibledogowner.
For more information on the Team Up to Clean Up campaign and how to get involved, visit: www.renfrewshire.gov. uk/teamuptocleanup or like the Team Up to Clean Up Facebook page.