Don’t ‘foul up’ this summer

(Date of issue: Thursday, 18 June 2009)

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, 22 June – Sunday, 28 June) local dog-owners will be urged to clean up after their pooches to make 2009 the cleanest summer ever.

Dogs Trust says that though there are over seven 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.

Clarissa Baldwin OBE, Chief Executive, Dogs Trust, said:

“We want Poop Scoop Week to be about saying thank you and well done to the millions of well-behaved dog owners, but also to remind the irresponsible minority that your dog can’t pick up after himself. If every dog owner fulfils their duty, we can all look forward to summer strolls and picnics in parks, free from the worry of dog poo! Let’s make Poop Scoop Week the week everybody takes responsibility – we will be amazed at the difference we can make.”

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.”