Name and shame 'dog mess dodgers' call

PEOPLE ARE being encouraged to name and shame dog owners who persistently allow their dogs to foul public areas without cleaning up the mess.

Dog fouling in Forres is an issue that continues to outrage conscientious pet owners and the rest of the general public. From Forbeshill to Pilmuir, there are reports of offensive piles on pavements, beside playgrounds and even in gardens, despite readily available deposit bags.

Moray Council anti-social behaviour co-ordinator Andy Jamieson said: "Over a third of our time is spent dealing with this issue.

"If more people identify offenders and inform us we’ll know who to target with fixed penalties."

Resident May McCheyne said: "Forres must be one of the worst places I’ve seen for dog mess.

"It’s disgusting – a lot of dog owners here should be ashamed of themselves. I walk down Pilmuir Road West every day and sometimes end up walking on the road as it’s cleaner."

A quick survey on the "Gazette" Facebook page revealed that the problem is widespread in the town and is a genuine concern for a lot of people, particularly mothers.

Dawn Macleod said: "I am concerned about the walk to Applegrove Primary School through the paths leading to Roysvale Park and the children’s play area next to the school.

"On numerous occasions my kids have stood on poo there. Walking to school should be fun, and it’s sad that we have to spend the whole time on dog poo alert. If people had more common sense they would pick up after their dogs or just avoid public paths and play areas."

In Forres, dog owners utilise wide-open areas such as parks to let their pets exercise, but children using the same space as dogs to play are continually having to run the gauntlet of the mess left behind by unscrupulous owners who allow their pets to foul and fail to scoop the poop.

"I’m just back from a walk with my dogs at Mannachie Park," said Joanne Steele.

"I picked up three piles of poo that weren’t my dogs’ because I was so disgusted at how close they were to the children’s play park."

Pauline Robertson said that Califer Road and Romach Road has a real problem with undisposed dog mess.

"The hills and grass around that area are really bad and there are lots of kids there," she said.

She added that she is disgusted at people who pick up the mess then abandon the bag at the side of walkways.

Active Schools co-ordinator Paul Rogan said that, as someone who regularly runs miles around the town’s streets, he agrees it is a widespread issue.

"I was part of a campaign to clean up Grant Park a number of years ago due to the football pitches and Anderson’s PE field being terrible every time people went to use them," he said.

"It did get better for a while, but over the last couple of years it has gone back to the way it was."

Victoria Kendrick agreed, and said: "The school sports field in Grant Park is horrible to cross over with children."

Particularly bad pavements mentioned included at the top of Forbeshill, Alexandra Terrace, Nelson Road, Bogton Road, Nairn Road, Pilmuir Road and the path between Randolph Lane and Councillors Walk.

"Most places you walk in Forres you will come across piles of it," said Paul Mortimer.

"No doubt a lazy minority are responsible for this mess."

Lisa Ross agreed, and added: "Bogton has got progressively worse and they are letting their dogs poop in people’s front gardens now too."

Mr Jamieson said: "Forres is no better or worse than the other towns in Moray.

"The community is very good at letting us know where the problem areas are, and we would encourage them to continue to do so.

"We are aware of a persistent issue at Grant Park, Bogton Park, the play area off the Grantown road and at the Hainings."

DOG fouling is not only unpleasant, it is dangerous. The biggest threat to public health from dog excrement is toxocariasis – an infection of the roundworm toxocara canis.

RESIDENTS can also be fined for allowing their pets to foul.

Moray Council anti-social behaviour co-ordinator Andy Jamieson explained that the community wardens are able to issue on-the-spot fines, but the difficulty lies in getting evidence.

Moray Council can also issue dog control orders against individual dog owners for offences including allowing a dog to foul a public space. The fixed rate penalty is £40, but in very serious cases, magistrates can issue a maximum penalty of £1,000.

The regulations state specifically that being unaware that the dog has fouled, or not having a suitable means of removing the faeces, is not a reasonable excuse for failing to clean up after your dog.

Call the anti-social behaviour department on 0800 587 7197 or contact community warden David Haytack on 07800 670666 to report the issue.