Published on:
06
September 2002
Local residents will be asked this and many other questions as part of a major consultation exercise to establish if dog fouling is a problem in the Wee County.
The consultation has been organised by the newly set up Dog Fouling Task Group which brings together Forth Valley Health Board, Central Scotland Police, Ochilview and Paragon Housing Associations, the Joint Community Council and a range of Council services.
The consultation will get underway during the second week in September and last until 1 November 2002. During this time locals will be asked to fill in a short questionnaire in a bid to find out their views on a range of issues, including:·What areas they think are the worst for dog fouling·How much they know about the law on dog fouling·How they think the Council currently deals with dog fouling
Councillor Donald Balsillie, Convener of the Enterprise and Environment Committee said: "We want to keep the county clean and free from dog fouling. To do this we need all dog owners to abide by the law and clean up after their pets.
"It's clear that a large number of dog owners are behaving responsibly. Last year we gave out more than 300,000 poop scoops and our dog waste bins are well used. However there remains a minority of people who still choose not to clean up after their dog. We live in a beautiful part of the country but dog fouling seriously affects the quality of our environment and how visitors view us and our area.
"Locals who continue to allow their dogs to foul in public places are blighting our efforts to improve the area in terms of our living environment, tourism potential and local economy. Hopefully in the near future they will be faced with on the spot fines as proposed by a new Scottish Executive Bill."
In 1999 a community safety survey of communities across Clackmannanshire revealed that dog fouling was the second most important environmental factor affecting safety in the community (25% or responses). As a result a key objective was written into the Community Safety Strategy - launched in November 2000 - to address these concerns.
The survey will be widely distributed using a variety of traditional and online methods. They include:·Random mailshot·Online form on www.clacksweb.gov.uk·Direct contact with people across the County
Questionnaires will also be sent to members of Alloa South & East Neighbourhood Forum via the e-citizen project and community councils via e-community - two projects launched recently as a result of funding secured from the Modernising Government fund.
Ian Doctor, Manager, Environmental Health added: "Before we can begin to tackle problems its important for local people to take a few minutes to complete the survey. This will provide us with invaluable information which will help shape any changes or improvements, which may be required to current services.