Don’t ‘foul up’ this summer

(Date of issue: Friday, 20 June 2008)

Carlisle City Council is backing the UK’s largest dog-welfare charity’s campaign to make this summer poop-free.

During this year’s National Poop Scoop Week (Monday, 23 June – Sunday, 29 June) local dog-owners will be urged to clean up after their pooches to make 2008 the cleanest summer ever.

Dogs Trust says that though there are over six million dogs in the UK. The charity is urging all dog owners to get behind the campaign and help the country’s canine citizens. Dog fouling costs councils £22 million a year to clean, and remains the country’s most complained about issue. Locally, there is an estimated 15,000 dogs in the Carlisle City Council area producing 3 tonnes of faeces every day – enough to cover 17 football pitches each year.

The Dogs Trust Chief Executive, Clarissa Baldwin, said:

"All citizens, both human and canine, should be free to enjoy Britain’s open spaces, so if we are going to look forward to a summer of picnic-ing in parks and lounging on beaches, it is vital that every single dog owner fulfils their duty and scoops that poop!"

Carlisle City Council is also urging local residents and businesses to back its campaign to make the city cleaner, greener and safer. The Council wants to work alongside local people to tackle anti-social behaviour such as graffiti, litter, dog fouling, fly-tipping and fly-posting.

Carlisle City Cllr Ray Bloxham, Portfolio holder for Environment and Infrastructure said:

"Unfortunately, it is the minority giving the majority of responsible dog owners a bad name. It is every owner’s responsibility to clean up after their dog so that everyone, including dogs, can enjoy our public parks and open spaces."