WARRINGTON Borough Council is reminding dog owners to be responsible when out walking their pets following reported increases of dog fouling incidents during lockdown.
More people are staying or working from home, due to the coronavirus lockdown. For some people, this also means spending more time with their four-legged friends.
However, as people are able to walk their dogs in daytime, some owners have left dog mess on public open spaces and public footways, with cases of bagged-up dog litter hanging from tree branches also found.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, the council has chosen to keep public parks open, so that residents and their pets can enjoy Warrington’s green spaces safely during the permitted exercise time outdoors.
Cabinet member for environment and public protection, Cllr Judith Guthrie said: “As we keep our public parks open for residents to enjoy through the lockdown, we ask that in return, anyone walking their dog cleans up and disposes of their dog’s waste appropriately. If you are walking a dog for someone else, while safely social distancing, it is still your responsibility to clean up the dog’s mess while walking them.
“Given the pressures on council services we would ask that, if possible, you then take dog mess bags home with you and dispose in your own general waste bin rather than using public bins.
“Please don’t spoil our precious parks and green spaces for other people, especially during this difficult period. We don’t want to have to impose restrictions on our valuable community assets”.
For more information on dog fouling and dogs in Warrington parks, please visit warrington.gov.uk/dogs-warrington-parks
