Panic (or something like it) on the streets of London

By LiseS

Friday, January 15, 2010, 18:13

As I made my way down the thawing streets of Finsbury Park this morning, I couldn't help but notice that that dogwalkers of the area had been out in force - the evidence was all over the pavements in front of me. Entertaining though it might be to turn my mundane walk to work into a physically and mentally challenging obstacle course, I generally prefer my morning exercise more hygienic and with fewer smells.

Surely even the daftest mutt could understand this instruction?

 

As we reported back in February, Islington recently became the first council in the UK to operate the "Poover" mobile dog-mess remover. But on the evidence of this morning, the Poover hasn't yet developed the ability to be everywhere in the borough at once, and the problem seems to be getting worse. As well as making the streets less than attractive, dog mess can be a serious hazard for young children, causing illnesses such as toxocara.

Since 2006, Islington has operated an £80 fine for owners caught allowing their dogs to foul the pavement. The council has also run free workshops to encourage responsible dog-owning, and offers a handy online reporting system for dog mess and other street problems. But are these measures making a difference?

One thing I noticed as I picked my way through the doggy-decorated streets was that there seem to be few "dog bins" on the lamposts on the streets near the station, where much of the problem seems to be. Anything that makes it easier for residents to scoop and dispose of their dogs' offerings would surely encourage responsible behaviour, so perhaps increasing the options for waste disposal is one possible answer to the problem.

What else could encourage dog owners to clean up and make the streets a safer and more fragrant place? Let us know your suggestions below!

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