Yahoo News Stirling villagers call for more respect from inconsiderate pet owners after spike in dog poo incidents
Residents in a Stirlingshire village have raised concerns over the scale of dog fouling there, leading to calls for more respect from pet owners.
Villagers in Thornhill, around 14-miles from Stirling, say that the disgusting problem has escalated, leading to Stirling Council enforcement officers visiting the village to investigate.
The issue was first raised with Thornhill and Blairdrummond Community Council by annoyed resident Joyce Firth.
She says that quieter paths around the village, as well as the North Common, regularly see pet owners fail to clean up after their dogs, snapping a photo of one disgusting find on a walk south of the village. She contacted Stirling Council over the matter.
She said: “I complained to the council on Tuesday (November 12) last week and was really impressed they came out the next day to follow out on the complaint so fast. They also phoned me the next day to update on what they’d found and their plans to monitor the situation.
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“I think it’s important people know we’re doing what we can to tackle this anti-social behaviour.
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“It seems the darker days make it more likely that dog owners are not cleaning up behind their pets. For me the agenda is about respect – how can my neighbours be so uncaring that they are prepared to leave their dog’s mess in the street or on the commons for others to step in?”
In a post on social media, a spokesperson for Thornhill and Blairdrummond Community Council said: “This is not so convenient for children on their way to school or out to play in the park finding themselves stepping in piles of dog dirt.
“Our community thrives on kindness and respect and this illegal, disgusting and upsetting behaviour affects us all.
“Bag it, bin it or take it home – hiding it under the hedge or on a fence doesn’t count.”
A spokesperson for the community council added: “It’s a regular discussion at community council-level but, unfortunately, the fine system isn’t a deterrent when the owners need to be caught in the act of not picking up after their dogs.”
A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the complaints regarding dog fouling in Thornhill and enforcement officers continue to monitor and patrol the area.
“Dog fouling is a selfish act which also poses a public health risk. We urge pet owners to be responsible and clean up after their dogs as we can and will issue penalties to anyone caught failing to do so.”
Anyone caught failing to pick up after their dog faces a fine of £80. Under the The Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003, it is an offence to leave your pet's mess behind.
Dog fouling can be reported via the Stirling Council website at: https://www.stirling.gov.uk/environment-pollution-and-pest-control/report-an-issue-with-a-dog/
