Keeping the poop out of the park

Chesterfield Borough Council and Dogs Trust are urging dog owners to pick up the poop and help clean up our public spaces for a great summer outdoors.  The ‘Grab it, Bag it, Bin it' campaign runs from 22^nd - 28^th June and is part of National Poop Scoop Week.

While the majority of owners are responsible and pick up after their dog, a careless few are still giving dogs a bad name, and each year thousands of complaints are received by councils about dog mess.   

Littering our parks, pavements and public spaces, dog fouling is a problem which Chesterfield Borough Council is determined to continue to tackle. In the past year the Council has issued 40 Fixed Penalty Notices to people failing to clean up after their dogs and is successfully seeing those who fail to pay the on-the-sport fines being prosecuted in Court.

Cleaning up after your dog is simple and the only way of ensuring a summer free from the nuisance of pooch poop.

Cllr Ian Openshaw, Lead Member for Sustainability and Environmental Services at Chesterfield Borough Council said: "We are extremely lucky in Chesterfield to have a good selection of quality parks for people to enjoy in the summer so we want to make sure that every dog owner plays their part in keeping dog mess out of the parks so it's safe and clean for everyone to enjoy."

To promote responsible dog ownership, the Council is holding two events during National Poop Scoop Week and are encouraging dog owners to bring their pets to the park.

The events will be between 10am and 3pm on:

Monday 22^nd June - Eastwood Park, Hasland

Wednesday 24^th June  - Holmebrook Valley Country Park

Officers will also be offering discounted micro-chipping on the day for £10 per pet. Just turn up as it only takes a few minutes and helps us reunite you with your dog should it ever go missing.

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."

Failing to pick up after your dog in Chesterfield can result in an on-the-spot fine of £50.

GRAB IT, BAG IT AND BIN IT is a simple plan to follow...

GRAB IT - Always keep a supply of plastic bags near your dog's lead - supermarket carrier bags make great poop scoops - so you don't forget to take a poop scoop with you on every walk. Simply insert your hand in the plastic bag and pick up your dogs waste. It's easy and not as bad as you think.

BAG IT - Carefully turn the plastic bag inside out and your dogs mess will then be 'bagged'.

BIN IT - Dispose of your bag in a 'Poop' bin or take it home and dispose of safely.

For more information please contact Environmental Services at Chesterfield Borough Council on Tel:               01246 345397          Email: street.scene@chesterfield.gov.uk

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