Could ‘poo patrols’ sniff out rogue dog owners?

The brown stuff has really hit the fan following mywelshpool’s expose last night on the problems of dog poo close to Ardwyn School.

 

We ran the story after being contacted by a mother speaking on behalf of other parents about the amount of mess left by dogs on access roads leading to the Red Bank School.

 

But it seems Ardwyn is not alone, and there’s a bad smell brewing across the town as well as surrounding communities as residents kick up a stink with poo problems reported in Meifod and Guilsfield as well.

 

And even the Town Council has said enough is enough and hinted that ‘street champions’ could be tasked with keeping an eye on their specific areas and report rogue dog owners, effectively creating ‘poo patrols’.

 

Similar clamp down schemes have worked well both at home and abroad (logo pictured).

 

Town Clerk Robert Robinson said: “This was an item raised, along with litter and other anti social issues, in our community plan. The Councillors and other groups are working on a solution, which may or may not work but we will give it a go.”

 

Mr Robinson said that leaflets were sent to parents of children that use the school and added that more will now be distributed as the problem appears to have worsened.

 

“However there is an education lesson for those who allow their dogs to foul to come into play,” added Mr Robinson. “Any help we can give to any local action group is offered by Welshpool Town Council.”

 

Our Facebook wall and inbox received contact from other concerned residents and parents who said the poo problem was not confined to Ardwyn. One mother pointed out that Meifod also has issues and it appears walkways are tainted across the area.

 

One Guilsfield reader added: “We were in the Oak and watched one dog owner let his dog do its business on the grass verge and then walked off because he thought no-one was watching. It was disgusting.”