New council campaign to tackle dog fouling

WARRINGTON Borough Council has launched a renewed effort to keep the town’s parks and pavements clear of dog mess this spring – calling on residents to spread the word through social media channels.
The council has launched a new YouTube video and will be promoting it through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and its own website www.warrington.gov.uk, and asking people to share and retweet the link to the film.
Cllr David Keane executive board member for environment, said: “It’s spring again and more people will be getting out and about in Warrington’s parks. Let’s make this the year when people don’t have to worry about dog mess. People can help spread this message through their social networks and hopefully it will get through to that minority of dog-owners who still need to understand that letting their dog foul the footpath is simply unacceptable.”
The council is warning of the potential fines, and is also calling on people to use the council’s website or social media channels to report those who don’t pick up after their dogs. Cllr Keane explained: “Failing to pick up after your dog could cost you a £50 fixed penalty notice – or even land you in court, facing a fine of up to £1000.”
Anyone who identifies a dog-walker failing to pick up after their dog can report this via the council’s website at www.warrington.gov.uk/dogfouling or through the council’s Facebook page or Twitter account @WarringtonBC.
Cllr Keane added: “It costs the UK £22 million every year (1) to clean up after a minority of thoughtless dog owners. But the full costs of dog fouling include health risks, not least to children, and the inconvenience caused to everyone else. So please pick up after your dog.”