Council Sprays It Pink To Highlight Dog Mess

18/07/2012 - Neighbourhood wardens will be out in force in Stapleford on Wednesday 25th July, spray painting dog mess left in two local parks bright pink to embarrass irresponsible dog owners who fail to clean up after their pets.

The initiative which coincides with national 'Love Parks Week' will see Broxtowe Borough Council's Neighbourhood Wardens step up patrols and spray paint all dog foul bright pink in the town's Hickings Lane and Ilkeston Road Recreation Grounds in a bid to shock irresponsible dog owners into changing their bad habits and clean up after their pets.

Cabinet member for Environment, Councillor Stan Heptinstall said:

"Broxtowe Borough Council is committed to providing clean green spaces and this is a great way to try and educate Broxtowe residents to take care of the borough.
"With national 'Love Parks Week' next week we hope that the campaign will show dog owners how their behaviour can effect others enjoyment of our parks and open spaces without having to use legislative powers to enforce against dog fouling."

Signage will be erected in both parks from Saturday 21^st July to inform park users of the campaign. The paint used is environmentally friendly, non-harmful to humans or animals and will wash away within a short period of time.

The Council's Neighbourhood Wardens will be out in force during peak times on Wednesday 25^th July, offering advice and free poop bags to dog walkers around 8.00am at Hickings Lane Recreation Ground and around 3.00pm on Ilkeston Road Recreation Ground.

All dog foul spotted at each site will be sprayed and left in the parks from Saturday 21^st July to highlight the issue, before the wardens return to clean up the abandoned mess at the end of the campaign on Monday 30^th July.

The campaign forms part of Broxtowe Borough Council's ongoing work to promote responsible dog ownership in the borough, which involves everything from educational visits to schools to offering advice to dog owners on microchipping and cleaning up after their animals.

The Council has powers to issue a £50.00 Fixed Penalty Notice to dog owners who fail to clean up mess made by their animals in public places. Dog owners could also face fines of up to £1,000 if they are prosecuted over the issue.

For more information, please contact Broxtowe Borough Council on the information provided on the right.