BAG it, Tie it, Bin it – that’s the message to dog owners in the county during this year’s Poop Scoop campaign.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s enforcement officers will be out and about this week giving advice and encouraging dog owners to clean up after their pets.
As part of this year’s campaign officers are working with staff at Pembrey Country Park handing out litter bags to dog owners entering the park.
Dog walkers and their pets are welcome in the park which also hosts several major dog event days during the year.
County Executive Board Member for Regeneration and Leisure Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “It is important that dog owners clean up after their dogs for the benefit of all park users. It is not good enough to throw a dog waste bag into the bushes or kick sand over waste.
“Rangers and enforcement officers have found bagged dog waste hanging in trees and even on a poop and scoop dog sign with an empty bin alongside.”
Dog mess can pose serious health risks and in some cases can cause epilepsy, asthma and even blindness.
You can dispose dog mess in any public litter bin (no just litter bins specifically for dog mess) but please double bag it.
Those that fail to clean up after their pets could get a fixed penalty notice of £75 or face prosecution in court and a maximum fine of £1,000.
People are being encouraged to help the council catch offenders by reporting any incidents they see.
Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Most dog owners are responsible and pick up after their pets; however, there is a small minority who do not listen. One of the main reasons for this is because they think there isn’t a council officer watching; but 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.”
To report dog fouling please call Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567 or complete the online form at www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk
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