Children at Ysgol Gymuned Bodffordd carried out a ‘Waste Survey’ on the pavements around their school recently. The results confirmed a messy problem at the heart of their community.
The Headmaster of Ysgol Gymuned Bodffordd, Mr Rhys Glynne Roberts acknowledges the ongoing problem of dog owners not cleaning up after their dogs , “Things are bad in the village, when the children take a few steps from the school they have to avoid dog mess, this is unacceptable,” said Mr Roberts.
It is National Poop Scoop Week on the 25th to the 31st July 2011. The week is a Dogs Trust initiative held in conjunction with local authorities and supported by the Isle of Anglesey County Council Waste Management Team. The Dogs Trust urge owner’s to ‘bag it and bin it’, a simple action everyone can follow.
Each year, in the UK, thousands of complaints are received by local authorities about dog mess. In fact, MPs in the UK receive more complaints about dog fouling than any other issue.
“It is against the law to allow a dog to foul in a public place and make no attempt to clean up after it. The majority of dog owners are responsible citizens, however we need the minority to understand it is illegal not to clean up after your dog,” said Elin Jones, Isle of Anglesey County Council Senior Waste Management Officer. Dog owners can face a fixed penalty fine of £75 or a criminal prosecution in the courts which carries a maximum penalty of £1000.
“The children’s survey has reported a problem which is messy. Every dog owner in Bodffordd has a duty to clean up after their dog – there are no excuses for leaving it behind,” said Mr Roberts.
During the ‘Waste Survey’ the pupils recorded eight dog poo’s on the pavement near their school. An additional dog waste bin and signs have been put up the village. Regular monitoring is being carried out by the Waste Enforcement Officers and the Dog Warden. Dog waste bags are available for free from the school and village shop.
“The children at the school have drawn us pictures to get dog owners to clean up after their dogs. We will create and install a board featuring the best drawings to raise awareness in the village. I hope our efforts put a stop to this messy problem,” said Elin.
More information from the Dogs Trust can be found at http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/az/p/poopscoopweek/
