Pupils say no to dog mess

CHILDREN at Five Roads School are launching a campaign to clean up dog mess.

They are fed up of trying to dodge the dog dirt left behind by irresponsible dog owners in parts of the village.

Local Member Cllr Jim Jones, who is also the council’s Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection, went along to the school to listen to their concerns.

The pupils told him the road leading to the school is one of the worst areas for dog fouling.

Council environmental enforcement officers regularly carry out patrols across the county and anyone caught not cleaning up after their dog can be fined £75.

However, they cannot be everywhere at once and it can be difficult to catch people in the act.

Pupils are now being encouraged to help the council educate the public by designing posters to be used on a banner to put up outside the school.

Cllr Jones, who will go back to the school at a later date to judge the winners of the poster competition, said: “It is a shame that a minority of irresponsible dog owners are spoiling it for other people. As well as being very unpleasant if you step in it, the health risks can be extremely serious.

“Hopefully by working with the school to raise awareness in the community we can reduce the problem and clean up the streets.”

Five Roads School has achieved three Green Flags under the Eco Schools programme.

Headteacher Eira Rumble said: “Keeping our community clean and safe and looking after the environment is extremely important to us, particularly as part of our Eco Schools work.

“Dog fouling is a concern for staff and pupils and we hope we can help the council to reduce the problem in the community by helping to raise awareness of its consequences.”