Dog Fouling
PALS CAMPAIGN - CLEAN UP OUR LANE!
Parents, children, teachers and neighbours are becoming more and more concerned at the dog fouling issue around our school, particularly in the lane.
This is a serious environmental issue, not to mention the associated health risks.
Did you know that if the poop is scooped right away it is safe, but if it lies it has more of an impact to your health (Ecoli, worms etc)?
PALS are taking action, on your behalf, to tackle this issue with Falkirk Council, the Litter Strategy Team and the Police. This is being supported by local counsellor, Tom Coleman.
A meeting has taken place with these people, and the following points are being progressed.
Green Dog Walkers - this is probably the action that is going to have the most impact. It is a non confrontational group who sign a pledge to clean up after their dog, and encourage others to do the same. They wear a green arm band and carry extra green bags, so you can approach them for one if you are walking your dog and have forgotten yours. This is very much a pilot in Denny just now, but we have agreement to sign people (under their wing) for this area.
This was promoted on the school open night and a stall promoting this will be set up in the lane on 18 October between 10am and 12pm. Please go along if you are interested in hearing more, or joining.
Alternatively you can also join by emailing greendogwalkers@yahoo.co.uk or by visiting the Green Dog Walker’s page of Falkirk Council’s website – http://www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/corporate_neighbourhood/estates_management/litterzone/community/green_dog_walkers.aspx
The Falkirk Herald – ran a story on this on 9 October, to gain support for us. This is fantastic publicity to get support for our campaign. A follow up article (and photos) will be published after the event on 18 October.
Red bin - the council will empty the red bin twice a week instead of once a week, for a trial period. If the bin is not overflowing more dog walkers will be encouraged to bin their poop. If there is a need to empty the bin twice a week, on an ongoing basis, this will continue.
Visible stickers - have been put on the waste bin, so people know they can get rid of their green bags in that bin too.
Cleaning the lane - The Council Estates people clean the lane once a week, but not during the school hols. There was an access issue, as they could only access the lane via the school playground / gates. They now have a key to access the lane when the school is closed. It was not acceptable that the lane is not cleaned 11 weeks of the year - this is 25% of the year!
The trees - the majority of the trees in the lane (that were overhanging the wall) have now been cut back. The remaining residents who have not cut their trees back will be given a deadline, otherwise the council will cut them back and bill them for it. This means people can walk on the full width of the lane, rather than being forced to walk to one side, where the dog foul tends to be.
Signage – has been improved, but there is scope for more! The ‘no dogs allowed’ sign will be moved to the front of the school. The dogs aren’t allowed in the school, so that is the appropriate place for the sign. Dogs are allowed in the lane, it’s just their mess that isn’t. We are encouraging the council / litter strategy team to add more signs, at visible levels, as you go along the lane.
'Policing the lane', to catch the culprits - local comminity officer (PC Wand) will increase her attendance around the school / lane. Also, the Dog Warden (part of the litter strategy team) will also increase his team's focus on the lane. This will be added to their overtime shifts to try and catch people outwith their normal working hours of 9am - 5pm. We are also using the school’s CCTV to catch people before school starts in the morning, so there is evidence.
If anyone is interested in helping drive this forward please contact us.
