You told us you were barking mad with owners who let their dogs foul your neighbourhood.
So we’re taking the lead and launching a major boroughwide campaign to remind dog owners in no uncertain terms to scoop that poop.
From Monday 23rd August, officers from Wigan Council, Greater Manchester Police and Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust will be conducting high visibility patrols across all ten townships, issuing fixed penalty notices to owners who fail to pick up after their dog.
Dog behaviourist, Mark Calvert from Wigan-based Dogtastic, is supporting the high-profile 5-week campaign, and will be hosting clinics across the area offering owners free advice on behavioural issues, identifying specific training needs and giving tips on responsible ownership.
And with a £50 fine at stake, campaigners are hoping that irresponsible dog owners will learn some p-etiquette of their own and learn how important it is to Bag It, Tie It, Bin It.
Free ‘poop scoop’ bags will be available from all libraries and from both Leigh and Wigan Town Halls. And to avoid any potential confusion, campaigners will be reminding dog owners that they can dispose of bags of waste in any litter bin including those provided in most parks and many open spaces, as well as in general household wheelie bins.
"Over the course of the 5 week campaign, we are organising a number of action days across the entire borough, involving partners such as Dogtastic, the RSPCA, council cleansing teams, park rangers and Police Community Support Officers," says organiser, Emma Catlow from Wigan Council's Neighbourhood Team.
"We will also spend time out on patrol, targeting areas where there is a specific issue with dog mess. And you won’t be able to miss us because we’ll be wearing high-viz jackets to drive home the enforcement message that fouling can result in a penalty."
Cllr Kevin Anderson, cabinet champion for neighbourhoods, says:
"Owners who fail to pick up after their dogs are a disgrace to the vast majority who are respectful, caring and responsible. If we can't encourage them through education, then we need to discourage them through enforcement.
"This boroughwide campaign aims to reduce the amount of fouling that blights our neighbourhoods, parks and footpaths and I wish it great success because dog fouling remains one of the top priorities for residents in all our townships. We call upon all dog owners to play their part and remember to scoop the poop."
Posters will also be displayed across the borough in areas popular with dog walkers, reminding them to clean up, and urging them not to tie their bags to trees or throw their bags into undergrowth because if they’re spotted, they could really be throwing away £50.
A number of campaigns and action days are already in the pipeline, including:
Hindley, Abram, Bryn and Ashton area
The Hindley team will be carrying out patrols and targeting areas such as:
- Priory Road, Bryn
- The two alleys/ginnels on Greenfields Crescent, Ashton
- Pendennis Street (From No 19 - Beumaris Street), Hindley Green
- Coupland Road (from Croyde Close to Lamp column 6), Hindley Green
For further information contact Paul Haunch on 01942 487765.
Wigan South area
Dogtastic will be at St Aiden's Club on Thursday 26th August ,(4.30 to 7.30 pm)
and both Dogtastic and the RSPCA will be at Orrell Water Park on Tuesday 31st August (4.30 to 7.30 pm)
Leigh, Golborne and Lowton area
On Thursday September 9th at Fir Tree Avenue Lowton , Mark Calvert from Dogtastic will be hosting an event, and the RSPCA will be micro chipping. The Council’s Neighbourhood Team and the local Neighbourhood Policing will also be putting in an appearance.
During the week commencing 6th September, the team will be on foot patrol throughout the area, visiting various hot spot locations in Leigh, Lowton and Golborne.
Wigan North area
On Tuesday 14th September, the team will be holding Campaign Event Day from 11.00am to 3.00pm [on the green space opposite the old Whelley Middle School, Moore St.] The RSPCA are offering FREE micro chipping, and the Wigan Neighbourhood Policing Team will be there to explain how they are working hard to reduce crime in the area. Mark Calvert from Dogtastic will provide education and training on responsible pet ownership.
Atherton, Astley and Tyldesley area
On Friday 24th September, from 1.00pm to 5.00pm, Mark Calvert from Dogtastic will be joined by the RSPCA and officers from the local Neighbourhood Policing Team at an action day on an area of land to the rear of 129, Stour Road, Astley.
