Keep Britain Tidy - Brief Statistics

Statistics are quite boring but these are very meaningful. I will keep this post brief. Keep Britain Tidy advises us that, in 2008, the UK dog population was estimated to be 7.3 million, producing approximately 1,000 tonnes of excrement per day.

I think we need say no more.

Full article here.

Poole Council Takes Advice From This Site

Over 12 months ago, while advertising"National Poop Scoop Week", this site celebrated the idea formed by John Wood, Sherwood Forest Community Ranger. John had decided to paint piles of dog excrement fluorescent pink to warn members of the public (archive here).

Who would have thought that Poole Council would visit this site and take up the idea? After finding some 200 piles of mess in an alley near Poole High School, the council has decided to paint the deposits green.

Opposition Lib Dem Councillor Brian Clements described this as a "bizarre thing to do". Shaun Robson, head of environmental services, stated; "unfortunately, we have a small minority that don't seem to get the message", the emphasis is mine. Brian seems to have missed the hidden humour in his statement.

I now regard my Poole vases as being even more valuable. I suggest the following strap line:

Mess With Poole And We'll Paint Your Stool!

Full article here.

Christchurch - "Steamer" Point Nature Reserve Lives Up To Its Name!

Christchurch has decided to take the menace of dog fouling seriously and has declared that any person that is known to be a repeat offender will not be given the option of paying a fixed penalty of £50. They will instead be reported for prosecution and conviction which could lead to a fine of up to £1,000.

This seems to have been prompted by the issuing of two fixed penalty notices for dog fouling at the "Steamer" Point Nature Reserve. I can just imagine the strap line, which the council could use in its new campaign.

Don't Leave a "steamer" at Steamer Point.

There also appears to be some kind of strange cult in existence at Christchurch. Councillor Ray Nottage observes: "It's often more difficult to catch offenders because they allow their dog to do its business at night or when there's no-one around". Does this relate to some form of witchcraft? Why would anybody be crawling around a nature reserve at night allowing their dog to defecate with impunity? As portfolio holder for a "safe and healthy community", it's time Ray turned his attention to the wider implications.

For now, I'm just happy to see Christchurch taking its place in the campaign.

Christchurch, where time is pleasant and fouling never present!

Full article here.

Dog Fouling Meets With An ASBO

Margaret Strathearn

Have a look at the picture above and ask "would you argue with Margaret"? Then, imagine that she is accompanied by a large German Shepherd. I have no hesitation in stating that I would think twice. If you feel that way also, then you would indeed be wise!

Margaret lives in Lower Addiscombe Road in Croydon. She decided, however, that she would exercise her dog outside two nearby blocks of flats. She allowed her dog to defecate all over the garden. When this was pointed out to her, she replied with a torrent of abuse. As one elderly resident put it: "there's nothing we can do. Her arms are twice as big as my waist. She could take a grown man down". Once again, I refer you to the picture.

Full marks, however, to Croydon council antisocial behaviour unit. They warned her, they filmed her, they obtained an interim ASBO (antisocial behaviour order). This site has seen the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act used to combat dog fouling (archive here), now we see an interim ASBO being granted. This is progress indeed.

Croydon Today points out that Margaret lives in a block of flats and any act against her could distress others living there. Would this include excrement through her letter box? This is, of curse, a purely rhetorical question as, here at Dog Fouling and Red Rubber Bands, we could never condone or encourage such an act, I cannot stress that enough!

I leave you with the words of councillor Dudley Mead: "To use dog fouling as a way of antagonising and upsetting others is both repulsive and bizarre". Amen to that, Dudley!

Full article here.

Once Again, The Dangers of Dog Fouling Become Clear

There's not a lot I can say about this. Here at Dog Fouling and Red Rubber Bands we repeatedly warn of the dangers of dog fouling. People often just won't listen. This video gives stark warning of the dangers. I can only advise that you check and clear your lawn before mowing!