Oxton Society launches pilot project in bid to reduce dog fouling in Oxton Village

Jan 6 2010 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

RESIDENTS of Oxton Village believe prevention is better than cure when it comes to tackling the perennial problem of dog fouling.

Volunteers from the Oxton Society are installing dispensers on a number of streets in the village issuing free ‘poop bags’ to dog owners.

They hope the pilot scheme will encourage owners to clean up dog mess straight away if their pets foul on the pavement.

The bags are biodegradable and, once used, can be dispatched in a regular waste bin in public or back at home.

Patrick Toosey from the Oxton Society said: “It only takes a small minority of irresponsible dog owners not cleaning up to make an area look unsightly and unattractive.

“We know that the council do what they can to educate the public about why they need to take responsibility for their actions and enforce the law, but as a society we wanted to do more for our own village.

“With the Council’s support and guidance we have decided to pilot a scheme to make these bags readily available out on the streets for dog walkers so there can be no excuse for them to simply leave the mess on the pavement.

“Our volunteers are installing four dispensers initially on a number of streets and will also be responsible for keeping them stocked with bags.”

The society plans to introduce more dispensers if the scheme results in a significant reduction in dog mess on the pavements of the village.

Oxton Councillor Pat Williams said: “It gives me great pleasure to support the dog waste project as a positive way of keeping Oxton’s environment free from dog fouling. Š

“I congratulate the Oxton Society for having the foresight to introduce this environmentally friendly scheme and for working in such a co-operative way with the council.

“This project will compliment the Tidy Business Village award which is to be given to Oxton and will help to keep the village clean and tidy in the future for the ongoing benefit of us all.”

Cllr Gill Gardiner, Wirral Council cabinet member for the environment, said: “As a council, we support any scheme that sees local people taking pride in their community.

“What the Oxton Society is doing complements our own ‘Don’t Give A Dog A Bad Name’ campaign and we wish them all the very best with it.”