A campaign to tackle the problem of dog mess in Pwllheli and Abersoch has been a sweeping success by reminding pet owners to clear up after their dogs.
Gwynedd Council’s Street Enforcement Officers, Keep Wales Tidy and officers from North Wales Police worked in partnership during the awareness raising day held on Wednesday, 1 September. This follows the success of similar events in Barmouth, Caernarfon and Tywyn.
The aim of the day was to raise awareness among dog owners to clear up after their pets. Working in partnership, the agencies handed out over 50 free poop-scoop bags dispensers.
The majority of dog owners are responsible and clear up after their animals but a small number continue to break the law by allowing their dogs to use streets and public places as an open toilet. One of the main messages of the day was that this is an environmental crime and such behaviour is not acceptable.
Iona Thomas, Gwynedd Council’s Tidy Towns officer, said:
“Dog muck is a serious issue of public hygiene. Failing to pick it up after your dog can pose a serious health risk to other people – the toxocara germ which is to be found in dog faeces can lead to serious illness, especially in children, which can lead to blindness and ill health.”
“We would therefore urge dog owners to be responsible – by picking up your dog’s mess we can all keep our local environment clean and tidy and ensure public safety and wellbeing.”
Councillor Gareth Roberts, Senior Portfolio Leader for the Environment on Gwynedd Council said:
“Gwynedd Council’s Street Wardens walk the county’s streets in an attempt to ensure that the people of Gwynedd live in a quality environment. We should all be able to walk the street without worrying about where we put our feet. It was encouraging to see the positive response to the recent campaign in Pwllheli and Abersoch – it was an opportunity to transact with dog owners, and a warning to those who ignore the law that they could face an on the stop fine.”
PCSO Richard Greaves from the local Neighbourhood Policing Team added:
“This is another example of North Wales Police and Gwynedd Council working in partnership to tackle the issues that matter to our local communities. Environmental crimes such as dog fouling have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of local neighbourhoods. I hope this day of action reassures the local community that we are tackling the issues that matter to them.”
Gwynedd Council’s Street Wardens monitor the county’s towns and villages to ensure that people do not commit environmental crime such as leaving dog mess, dropping litter and fly tipping.
It is illegal to allow a dog in your care to toilet in a public place without cleaning up afterwards. Those found breaking the law could be given an on-the-spot fine of £75 by Gwynedd Council’s Street Enforcement Wardens, the Council’s maritime or country parks staff or PCSOs. If an individual refuses to pay the fine they could face a court summons and a fine of up to £1,000.
This event was organised and paid by the Assembly Government’s Tidy Towns scheme. For more information about the scheme contact Gwynedd Council’s Tidy Towns officer on 01766 771000, e-mail [email protected] or visit the website www.gwynedd.gov.uk/tidytowns
