Swansea Council steps up dog fouling campaign

Efforts to stop dog fouling in Swansea have been backed by local police and residents.

Dog bag holders which can be attached to dog leads have been snapped up by the public following the campaign by Swansea Council to tackle the issue.

Hundreds of the free capsules have been given out and now other groups including local PCSOs and litter enforcement officers have offered to get on board and help stamp out the problem by handing out some of the free capsule-shaped bag holders.

Dozens of residents have taken to the council’s facebook page in support of the dog capsule give away welcoming the action being taken.

Mark Thomas, Cabinet Member for Environment & Transportation, said: “Dog fouling is one of the biggest complaints we hear about either on our social media websites or verbally.

“It’s something we are tackling head on with the help of residents and other organisations.

“There is no excuse for pet owners who allow their animals to foul in public places. If you are out walking your dog, please take a bag with you and dispose of it properly.”

The Council is continuing to patrol parks and other public areas using an external litter enforcement service to issue £75 fixed penalties to any pet owner caught not cleaning up after their pet.

Pink spray paint has been used along pavements to warn dog owners about the penalty in areas where dog mess has been collected by the council.

Cllr Thomas added: “We are doing what we can to make sure dog owners do the right thing. It’s not right that children should be put at risk in areas such as playing fields and parks because pet owners are acting in a selfish way.

“If our litter enforcement patrols catch anyone allowing dogs to foul, they will receive fine.”