Mullion push to stamp out dog mess

12:00pm Wednesday 24th October 2012 in Cornwall

A petition has been launched in Mullion to show the strength of feeling over dog mess being left on pavements and roads.

The petition has been instigated by a group of residents that is calling for the local authorities to “act urgently”.

It was launched after one comment on a social media website attracted more than 50 comments in just a few hours, with 15 people adding their complaints.

Members of the parish council told the group that Cornwall Council was “not forthcoming” in answering requests for appropriate bins.

However, one of the residents, Lee Dunkley, said: “Such is the feeling in the village that I believe that the parish council and Cornwall Council should not only be treating this as an urgent priority, but should also be leading an awareness and advice campaign to dog owners that fail to clean up.

“The cause may be as a result of older dog owners struggling to bend down, for example.

“The local authorities should help find solutions to such issues, as well as distributing information on the unpleasantness, the dangers and also the penalty fines that can result from inaction to clear up mess.

“I believe that simply installing appropriate bins will not solve the problem.”

The petition can be found in most shops and civic buildings in the village and members of the public have been urged to sign their names to lend their support “as soon as possible” if they agree.

Comments(13)

Gill Zella Martin says...
2:09pm Wed 24 Oct 12

I agree there is a problem within the village with dog mess, however, all local people that pass where I live do in fact all pick up behind their dogs. I do not believe that a lack of dogs bins is a contributary factor to the problem, there are dogs bins in and around the village. I believe that if someone cannot or will not pick up behind their dog, no amount of bins will make any difference. I would imagine that Cornwall Council are reluctant to provide more dog bins due to lack of funding and additionally these bins probably cost more to have emptied as they are classed as hazardous waste. It may well be useful to have notices placed in holiday accommodation premises asking people to please clean up after their dogs (and not to feed the gulls).

With the current emphasis on localized running of services etc, I would expect this to be an issue that should be addressed by the Parish Council and not Cornwall Council.

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meerkats says...
3:23pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Unfortunately this is an ongoing problem everywhere ,across towns and villages. Dont think extra dog bins are the answer as there are many owners that just will not pick up. I do think that the only way to resolve this problem is spot fines but unfortunately there arent enough dog wardens or officials to do this.

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CousinJack says...
8:06pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Its simply time to ban dogs from public lands, in the same way smoking will be in due course. Both smoking and dog owning are selfish pursuits that should be discouraged (dog owning is one of the most environmentally unfriendly activities a person can undertake) and limited to private property.

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meerkats says...
9:24pm Wed 24 Oct 12

CousinJack i find your comments re dog owning extremely harsh. It is not a selfish pursuit ,many people have them for companions ,and what about hearing dogs for the deaf and guide dogs. I do think it is heading towards dogs being banned from public land ,but it will be down to the inconsiderate owners who dont control their dogs or clean up after them that will be to blame.

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Grocer says...
10:09pm Thu 25 Oct 12

There is no doubt that there is a problem with dog fouling in the neighbourhood of Mullion. Part of the problem is owners who "poop the scoop" but then throw the resultant poly bag into the nearest verge or hedgerow.

There are already plenty of bins around; more are not needed. We can hardly expect the council to provide a warden to follow every dog-owner. In reality, education and ongoing appeal to dog-owners are all that can be done.

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meerkats says...
12:13pm Fri 26 Oct 12

Grocer i am aware that a warden cant be provided to follow every owner, my point was that if they did regular patrols ,then owners may fear of getting caught and be more responsible. ,unfortunately many owners dont seem to have respect for others or the area they live ,otherwise they would do their best to keep it poop free. .i would say to all owners "pick up the poo, its easier than cleaning it off your shoe ". do you mean scoop the poop in your comment.

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molesworth says...
12:20pm Mon 29 Oct 12

For goodness sake Mullion, don't 'stamp out' dog mess or it'll just spread all over. How about making it law that dog owners have to carry a plastic poo bag at all times or they get an instant £10 fine?

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meerkats says...
1:35pm Mon 29 Oct 12

think an instant £10 fine is too low and £20 or even more would prompt owners into picking up. its not just about carrying a bag its making sure they use it.

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CousinJack says...
6:12pm Mon 29 Oct 12

As dog owners (a minority or a majority, who can be sure) can't be bothered to pick up or properly dispose of their animals waste, perhaps these animals should be required to wear canine nappies when taken off their owners property.
http://www.dog-nappy
.co.uk/

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meerkats says...
8:48pm Mon 29 Oct 12

CousinJack i think canine nappies are meant for dogs to wear in the home for various reasons, why should dogs be subjected to wearing them in public just because their owners cant be bothered.to clean up after them. .

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CousinJack says...
11:15pm Mon 29 Oct 12

'cos "their owners cant be bothered.to clean up after them" Like a significant minority or perhaps a majority of dog owners. Dog nappies problem solved re dog dirty, but not with regard to agressive dogs whose owners say they won't hurt a fly as they jump up on strangers children, etc.

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meerkats says...
9:23am Tue 30 Oct 12

CousinJack the article is about dog mess and although it is frightening to have dogs jump up you are moving away from the original subject .

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molesworth says...
6:27pm Tue 30 Oct 12

Personally I have a bigger problem with cat poo in my garden and also cats killing my gold fish and wild birds. Can't remember the last time I saw dog poo in the street. I've never seen it in my garden. And no, I'm not a dog owner.

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