Blaenau Gwent Council joins new campaign to tackle dog fouling
Blaenau Gwent Council is urging dog owners to do the right thing and pick up after their pets as part of a new national campaign from Keep Wales Tidy.
Although an estimated nine out of ten dog owners pick up after their pets, dog poo remains a persistent issue in communities across the country. Keep Wales Tidy’s campaign aims to raise awareness of the health risks associated with dog poo; not just for humans but also for livestock and other pets.
Dog poo that’s left behind can carry harmful bacteria which can remain in soil long after it has decomposed.
The nationwide campaign is being run as part of Caru Cymru (a Welsh phrase meaning ‘Love Wales’) – an inclusive movement led by Keep Wales Tidy and local authorities to inspire people to take action and care for the environment.
Councillor Joanna Wilkins, Executive Member for the Environment says:
“We are excited to be part of this important campaign along with our local authority partners, so we can keep Blaenau Gwent a clean place to live and visit. There is still a small proportion of dog owners who don’t pick up after their dogs, so we are asking to them to start picking up. There are dog poo bins located throughout the borough so they don’t have to take it home with them. We are trying to make it as easy as we can to dispose of dog poo, but we need the help of dog owners to keep the borough clean.
“It’s not a pleasant job but very important and we would like to thank all the responsible dog owners who are cleaning up after their dogs.”
People in Blaenau Gwent and across Wales are being encouraged to join the new campaign. Visit Keep Wales Tidy’s website to find out more and download free materials: www.keepwalestidy.cymru/caru-cymru
Caru Cymru has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.