Undercover enforcement officers on city streets in bid to tackle dog mess

UNDERCOVER enforcement officers are making sure dog owners pick up after their pets.

The plain-clothed officers will join other teams tackling environmental issues during a week of action in the Cranhill area of Glasgow, which starts on Monday.

The programme’s goal is to clean up communities across the city, and many places such as Govan, Craigend and Hillhead have already benefited from the move. Dog owners who fail to clean up face a £80 fine.

Specific streets in Cranhill are being targeted, but undercover enforcement officers could be anywhere.

Council teams will also be clearing weeds, cutting shrubbery, sweeping streets, repairing streetlights, refreshing road markings, tackling fly-tipping and removing graffiti during the week.

Local residents are being asked to support the work by joining a litterpick led by Cranhill Development Trust and the council’s Clean Glasgow team on December 1, starting in Bellrock Street.

Fiona Duncan, a community development worker at Cranhill Development Trust, said: “Dog fouling is definitely a problem in the area, especially in the community garden and around the playpark. It’s horrible for families and volunteers working in the garden who stand in dog poo – so it’s good that action’s being taken.

“I’m also looking forward to good community participation on the litter pick.”

Community payback teams will join the Cranhill clean-up and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will offer fire safety advice.

Ruairi Kelly, Glasgow City Council’s convenor for neighbourhood services and assets, said: “The council has had really positive feedback from communities already visited by the Weeks of Action programme.

“This new strategy, in addition to routine council maintenance and the partnership approach, is making a real difference in neighbourhoods.”