Some dog owners not clearing up
SOUTHPORT may boast two of Merseyside’s top four most expensive streets according to Zoopla but it also has also its own dirty little secret which is prompting debate on social media.
The seaside town is popular for its day trips during summer with the likes of Funland and Silcocks Amusements attracting people from across the region – but a certain number of dog owners are letting the side down by not clearing up after their pets.
Both Selworthy Road and Sandringham Road in Southport came second and fourth respectively in Zoopla’s top 10 most expensive Merseyside streets. But residents have become increasingly aggravated over the lack of responsibility shown by some dog walkers.
Blake Maynard, creator of the Facebook group Friends of Southport, posted in the group asking for people’s opinions and experiences with the amount of dog mess scattered across the town’s pavements.
Blake wrote: “I understand it’s not the best title in the world, that of being a dog poo campaigner, but I am sure you agree it really needs to be addressed more.
“I was shocked this morning to see so much dog poo in a place where so many school children walk to Our Lady Of Lourdes. The side road where the Mercedes garage stands, just past the lollipop person.
“Watching a mother having to pull a tissue from her pocket to wipe dog poo from her child’s shiny black shoe is unacceptable.
“Some might say the child should look where they are going, or the mother directs the child away from the poo, well I have to say to dodge the poo would be like a game of twister. We also have many residents with pushchairs, you would have to manoeuvre like Lewis Hamilton to avoid such mess.
“We are fully aware we have many responsible dog owners, but it’s very clear we have those that do not give a damn. A dog owner who allows their dog to poo and walks away forgets that a mother has to go home and clean her pushchair wheels and a child goes to school with dog poo in the grooves of her or his shoes. So what are the solutions?”
One person, Catherine Stephens, moved to the town and noticed the issue was more prominent than in Kent, where she had previously lived.
She said: “I agree; we moved here from Kent where excessive dog poo on the street is not the problem it is here in Southport. It’s strange, dog owners are so inconsiderate. Why would you leave your dog’s poo where someone else will step in it? We definitely need a coordinated Southport campaign to try to get dog owners to rethink. Free poo bags maybe?”
A Sefton Council spokesperson said: “As a local authority we want our residents and visitors to the borough to enjoy walking their pets.
“All we ask in return is for them to clear up after their pets and abide by the Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). This ensures that dogs and humans can utilise these spaces in harmony while promoting a cleaner and greener environment which everyone can enjoy.
“We remind people that failure to comply would see owners issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £75 by Civil Enforcement Officers monitoring Sefton’s parks and highways.
“Environmental Enforcement Officers will also investigate reports of persistent dog fouling during street sweeping operations.
“We urge all dog owners to familiarise themselves with their responsibilities under the Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which can be found on the council’s website at www.sefton. gov.uk/dogfouling.”