Doing the dirty on dog fouling in Castle Bromwich
From Councillor Mrs Diana Holl-Allen, Cabinet member for Safer Communities on 23 July 2012
Pupils from Castle Bromwich Junior School have taken a stand against dog fouling in their area with a new poster campaign.
Organised by Solihull Council, children from Year 4 took part in a competition to design an anti-doggy doo poster which urges residents to clean up after their pets.
The winning entry was created by Meagan Rooney, 9, who impressed judges with her design, which depicts a dog imploring its owner to clean up after it.
Meagan was presented with her winning poster and a prize in assembly by Councillor Mrs Diana Holl-Allen, Cabinet member for Safer Communities. The prize was provided by Beiersdorf UK Ltd.
The campaign has come about after specific problems with dog fouling on the streets and roads of Castle Bromwich.
The Council’s Environmental Protection team received numerous complaints from residents concerning dog fouling, which prompted them to focus on Castle Bromwich for a number of weeks. The aim was to improve the cleanliness of the area and to educate dog owners.
On the 8 February, Council officers from Environmental Health and Street Cleansing met with residents at the Parish Council in Arden Hall. They discussed the issues around dog fouling, with residents being keen to be involved and to tackle the problem.
Officers began patrolling a number of times a week around the Castle Bromwich area; monitoring dog owners and taking enforcement action if it was necessary.
Furthermore, a litter picking and a dog fouling project was held on 23 March at the Spinney in Castle Bromwich, a remnant of the ancient Forest of Arden, with a variety of local residents involved, inlcuding students from Park Hall Academy and Castle Bromwich Junior School.
Coming at the end of the campaign, it is hoped Meagan’s poster will serve as a lasting reminder to residents that dog fouling is a serious health risk and environmental crime.
Councillor Mrs Diana Holl-Allen, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said: "Well done to Meagan for creating such an excellent poster that I hope will remind dog owners of the importance of cleaning up after their pet."
For enquiries from members of the press and media only, please contact Alex Hemming on 0121 704 6136
Email: alex.hemming@solihull.gov.uk