As part of this year’s Big Scoop Hastings Borough Council has joined forces with canine the charity Dogs Trust to tackle issues around dog fouling in the town.
A nationwide campaign was launched by Dogs Trust last week to encourage all dog owners to always pick up after their dogs. The charity has launched an installation in Hastings featuring catchy ‘love lines’ slogans, intended to encourage dog owners to pick up after their dogs and to remind them that ‘any bin will do’ when getting rid of doggy doo.
The council’s lead member for the environment, Cllr Warren Davies explained:
“In Hastings we are committed to tackling issues around dog fouling and control and so being part of this scheme will add to the stringent measures we are already taking.
“Cinque Ports Way, St Leonards has been highlighted as an area in need of extra attention so Dogs Trust has installed bright yellow dog bag dispensers, street stencilling and eye catching posters to remind and enable owners to pick up after their dogs. We know that most dog owners in the town are responsible but this is a strong reminder to those that aren’t.”
Britain is a nation of dog lovers, with over eight million dogs in the UK. However, with that many pooches it’s no surprise that dog poo has topped the list of the nation’s biggest bugbears, more than smoking, littering and pollution. In the last three months the council has issued 22 dog related Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN’s) in the Borough.
Alex Jackson, Head of Campaigns at Dogs Trust says:
“Dog poo is one of the biggest complaints received by local authorities every year. Last year alone local authorities in the UK received more than 81,000 complaints from the public, which is why we are pleased to be working with them to make everyone aware of how simple disposing of dog mess can be.
“Failing to pick up after your dog gives other dogs and their owners a bad name, and, whilst it is a small minority who don’t scoop their dogs poop, we are hoping The Big Scoop, Dogs Trust nationwide poop campaign, will remind everyone to help keep their local area dog poo free, prompt other owners to pick up dog mess and dispose of it in any public bin. We are really grateful to Hastings Borough Council for helping Dogs Trust in our mission to make Hastings poop-free.”