Vale council cracking down after surge in complaints about dog mess in Faringdon and Stanford in the Vale (From The Oxford Times)

Vale council cracking down after surge in complaints about dog mess in Faringdon and Stanford in the Vale

4:22pm Thursday 4th March 2010 in

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A POSTER campaign targeting dog owners who fail to clean up their pets’ mess has been launched following a surge in complaints.

Environment wardens at Vale of White Horse District Council have put up 100 posters in hotspot areas after complaints about dog mess more than doubled in the past two years.

The wardens have seen a particular rise at Faringdon, specifically in Park Road, Gravel Walk and Southampton Street, and in Stanford in the Vale.

Letters are being sent to all the properties in streets where the problem has increased District council environment warden Colin Marshall said: “Recently, I’ve seen an increase in complaints by about 30 per cent.

“The problem doesn’t seem to go away. We’ve done so much promotion, so we decided to take this step.

“It seems particularly bad in Faringdon and Stanford in the Vale, and I think it’s because once you think you’ve got the problem sorted, new people move in and need to be re-educated.

“The vast majority of dog owners are responsible and clean up after their dogs, but there is a minority who fail to do so and, as a result, our footpaths and pavements are being blighted.

“It is disgusting, unhygienic and totally unnecessary.”

For January and February, the number of complaints rose from 16 last year to 22 this year. There were ten in 2008.

During the last two years, six people have received £50 fines in the Vale for failing to clean up after their dogs, but dog owners could face a £1,000 fine if they allow their animal to foul in the street.

Faringdon town councillor Roger Cox said: “It’s always been an issue and gets raised at virtually every town council meeting.

“We welcome the initiative because people continue to need reminding. It’s a disgusting problem caused by inconsiderate people.”

Angela Lawrence, Vale’s executive member for health and housing, said: “The environment of our towns and villages is being made unpleasant by a minority of irresponsible dog owners.

“I hope this latest initiative will make people think again and take better care to clear up after their pets, and improve the environment for the rest of us.”