Local villages have already seen positive results after they joined a Stafford Borough Council campaign to reduce the amount of dog fouling in their area this year.
After starting the purge on irresponsible owners in January, Barlaston has seen instances of dog mess reduced by around 75%, and Hixon has also seen more than 70% less dog fouling since February. The initiatives come on the back of successful campaigns in various other areas of Stafford Borough.
Hixon Parish Councillor, Susan McKeown, who is supporting the campaign, said: “I am really pleased that we have made such good progress in the few weeks this initiative has been running. Owners of dogs in Hixon are very responsible but there is an inconsiderate few and this scheme is aimed at making sure everyone picks up after their pet.”
Joining forces with the council, Hixon and Barlaston targeted fouling hot spots. Signs were put up, flyers distributed and free dog poo bags have been made available as part of the six-month scheme.
Councillor Gareth Jones, of Barlaston Parish Council, said: “This dog fouling free campaign has the support of residents and has now made waking the canal-side a pleasure. The support from the team at Stafford Borough Council had made it an easy scheme to implement.”
Dog fouling in villages such as Gnosall and Weston have also reduced significantly following similar campaigns working with the Borough Council. The council has issued a number of fines throughout Stafford and surrounding towns and villages and has taken dog owners to court as part of a long-running zero-tolerance campaign against people not cleaning up after their pets.
Councillor Frank Finlay, Cabinet Member for Environment and Health at the Borough Council, said: “It is great to see these communities coming on board our campaign and doing their bit to try and rid the village of this disgusting issue. There’s no doubt the work we are all doing has made a huge impact in reducing the number of people who do not clean up after their dogs.”
He added: “We have seen the damage this problem can cause to young children and how anyone can ignore that is beyond me. All dog owners have to do is bag it, pick it up and put it in a bin – and that can be any public rubbish bin.”
You can email dogs@staffordbc.gov.uk to give information in confidence about people who do not clean up after their dogs or call 01785 619402. Further details can be found at www.staffordbc.gov.uk/dogs
