Llan schoolkids join the battle against dog fouling

Children in Llangollen have turned their concerns about dog fouling into eye catching posters as the fight against this kind of environmental crime continues.

Community Safety Enforcement Officers in Denbighshire were approached by residents, the two county councillors representing Llangollen, as well as the Town Council with concerns about dog fouling, in particular on the football/rugby and school fields.

A visual audit was carried out and several patrols were arranged in the area to catch the perpetrators of this crime, but despite enforcement efforts, the rates of dog fouling remained the same.

Officers then approach the local primary schools, Ysgol Bryn Collen and Ysgol y Gwernant, for an education session with the schools’ Eco committee and were overwhelmed with the children’s enthusiasm about the issue.

As a result, a competition was arranged, with youngsters encouraged to design posters reflecting their views on dog fouling. Their families were also urged to get involved in the design competition.

Officers from Denbighshire Community Safety and North Wales Police chose four winning posters which have been turned into signs by Denbighshire County Council, with funding from Llangollen Town Council.

Further checks are to be carried out in the near future to see whether the posters are getting the message through.

Dog fouling is anti-social and those that fail to pick up display a disregard for other people, public health and the environment.

Failing to pick up immediately after a dog is an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 1995.

Those caught in Denbighshire can be issued with a £75 Fixed Penalty Notice. Individuals who don’t pay may be taken to court.

The Community Safety Enforcement team are looking to identify and prosecute any owners of dogs that don’t clean up after their animals.

If you wish to report environmental crime or discuss such issues please contact the council’s Customer Contact Centre, 01824 706100 (Welsh) or 01824 706101 (English).