One-in-10 not picking up the poop

Powys County Council is urging dog owners to do the right thing and pick up after their pets as part of a new national campaign from Keep Wales Tidy.

It follows a warning from Trewern Community Council this week that CCTV coverage would be expanded to clamp down on problems there, with other towns and villages also reporting an increase in issues over the past 18 months.

Although an estimated nine out of ten dog owners pick up after their pets, dog poo remains a persistent issue in communities across the country and the campaign aims to raise awareness of the health risks associated with dog poo, not just for humans but also for livestock and other pets.

Dog poo that’s left behind can carry harmful bacteria which can remain in soil long after it has decomposed.

The nationwide campaign is being run as part of Caru Cymru (a Welsh phrase meaning ‘Love Wales’) – an inclusive movement led by Keep Wales Tidy and local authorities to inspire people to take action and care for the environment.

Based on research by behaviour change experts, bright pink signs, posters, pawprint stencils and bin stickers will be appearing across Powys to ‘nudge’ people into making the right decision.  

“Dog mess is the most unacceptable and offensive type of litter on our streets and open spaces and feedback from Powys residents tells us that dog fouling is the issue the public are most concerned about.” explains Cllr Heulwen Hulme, Powys County Council Cabinet Member for Environment.

“Our waste awareness and enforcement team are busy out and about adding signs and engaging with dog owners, whilst our street cleaners are doing their best to clean up after the irresponsible few who refuse to take responsibility for their own pets.

“This latest campaign aims to encourage dog walkers to use bins to dispose of dog waste, and to reduce the incidents of fouling and the clean-up costs related to this anti-social behaviour.”

Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive Lesley Jones said: “We’re excited to be launching this important campaign with our local authority partners. As a nation of dog lovers, we should all be aware that dog poo isn’t just an unpleasant mess, it can be dangerous.

“We’re urging the small minority of irresponsible dog owners to do the right thing. By not picking up after your dog, you could be putting people, livestock, and our beloved pets at risk. Please bag it, bin it and leave only pawprints when you’re out and about.”

Visit Keep Wales Tidy’s website to find out more and download free materials: www.keepwalestidy.cymru/caru-cymru.