Dog Watch launched during Poop Scoop Week

RESIDENTS in Carmarthenshire are being urged to help the council tackle dog fouling.

A Dog Watch scheme is being launched in the county during National Poop Scoop Week which is being held between June 11-17.

The aim of Dog Watch is to encourage people to report offences. Local people often know who the offenders are, and can help tackle the problem of dog fouling in their area, by reporting them to the council.

Environmental enforcement officers can then follow up reported offences and target areas of greatest complaint.

Anyone caught failing to pick up after their dog can be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £75 or face prosecution in court and a maximum fine of £1,000.

Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Dog fouling is one of the main causes of complaint to the council but we need the help of the public to help us catch those responsible.

“One of the main reasons that dog owners don’t clear up after their dog is because they think there is not a council officer watching. However, if the message gets out that the general public can take direct action to report offences, dog owners are far more likely to behave responsibly.”

Dog Watch posters have been produced so that residents can easily report offences either by telephoning Carmarthenshire Direct or reporting via the website.

Cllr Jones has also written to town and community councils in Carmarthenshire asking them to contact him with any dog fouling as well as litter/fly-tipping hotspots in their areas so that he can bring them to the attention of officers.

The council’s dog fouling awareness team will be out and about during Poop Scoop Week, which is run by the Dogs Trust, to encourage dog owners to help keep our public spaces clean and to promote Dog Watch.

They will be at the Millennium Coastal Park in Burry Port and Llanelli on Tuesday, June 12 and at Ferryside on Thursday, June 14 between 11am-2pm with information and advice and free poop bags.

There will also be a £50 dog food voucher to be won at each event kindly donated by Kidwelly-based Burns Pet Food.

Director of Technical Services Richard Workman said: “The majority of dog owners take their responsibilities seriously, but unfortunately there is a small minority who do not listen. Dog fouling can have serious health implications and anyone caught flouting the law will be prosecuted. We do not want to fine people but we are determined to clean up Carmarthenshire for both residents and visitors.”

To report dog fouling please call Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567 or complete the online form at www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk