All eyes on dog owners who fall foul of rules

An innovative new campaign means there’ll be eyes on dog-owners who fall foul of the rules on picking up their pet’s mess – even after dark.

The local authority is joining up with other councils across England this week to launch a new campaign run by Keep Britain Tidy.

Glow in the dark ‘We’re watching you’ posters – developed after research by Keep Britain Tidy showed that dog walkers are more likely to pick up after their dogs when they think they are being watched – will be distributed around the borough to help kerb the problem. The borough council is now targeting areas regularly blighted by dog muck in the hope it will lead to a reduction in fouling reports.

Portfolio holder for environment and sustainability Julie Laws said: “The vast majority of dog owners are responsible people, who habitually pick up after their dog and dispose of the poo bags correctly. The new cutting edge posters aim to send a message to those dog owners that do not clear up after their dog, that it will no longer be tolerated. It is socially unacceptable and it can spread disease. The message is ‘pick up after your dog or risk a £75 fine’ because the Dacorum community is watching you.”

To report dog fouling go to www.dacorum.gov.uk/doitonline, email [email protected] or call 01442 228000 and ask for dog fouling.