As I was growing up in the 1970s, stepping in dog poo was an almost everyday event. In the years since, the problem became less and less severe until, by the turn of the century, it was rare that I even spotted any in the street.
Regrettably, since I moved to Luton in 2003, dog poo made a bit of a comeback. I've grumbled to myself about this for ages. At long last, I'm taking action. By law, it is the responsibility of dog owners to clear up after their animals. The local authority is obliged to deal with what's left on public land. Luton Borough Council even has a Web page for submitting poo reports. It's a bit clunky (select the full page option, and if asked whether you want to remain on page or leave it, select "leave") and the nifty map-pin feature doesn't actually get included when the message is sent to the good chaps in Public Protection. But the reports themselves do get through, and are really read. I know this, because they phoned me to query one of my reports about six minutes after I submitted it.
I have resolved to photograph and report every dog poo I see on the route between home and my kids' school (about 850 metres). These pages are a public record of what Luton Borough Council is being made aware of. It's not intended as a whinge - it's meant to discourage the council from ignoring the problem*, and to encourage other members of the public to make their own reports. The council has the power to fine offending dog owners, so I hope that one way or another things will improve.
(Which, I should add, they certainly do not seem to be. New warning signs were placed within hours of me contacting them!)
Regrettably, since I moved to Luton in 2003, dog poo made a bit of a comeback. I've grumbled to myself about this for ages. At long last, I'm taking action. By law, it is the responsibility of dog owners to clear up after their animals. The local authority is obliged to deal with what's left on public land. Luton Borough Council even has a Web page for submitting poo reports. It's a bit clunky (select the full page option, and if asked whether you want to remain on page or leave it, select "leave") and the nifty map-pin feature doesn't actually get included when the message is sent to the good chaps in Public Protection. But the reports themselves do get through, and are really read. I know this, because they phoned me to query one of my reports about six minutes after I submitted it.
I have resolved to photograph and report every dog poo I see on the route between home and my kids' school (about 850 metres). These pages are a public record of what Luton Borough Council is being made aware of. It's not intended as a whinge - it's meant to discourage the council from ignoring the problem*, and to encourage other members of the public to make their own reports. The council has the power to fine offending dog owners, so I hope that one way or another things will improve.
(Which, I should add, they certainly do not seem to be. New warning signs were placed within hours of me contacting them!)
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