Bid to cut down on dog mess in the borough
Dog owners in Merton are being offered free micro-chipping for their dogs in a bid to cut down mess in the borough.
As part of the latest Keep Britain Tidy campaign to keep dog mess off the streets, Merton Borough Council's animal welfare officers will be out on the road offering free micro-chipping for their dogs, free dog waste bags and advice on responsible dog ownership.
Posters have gone up around the borough displaying the strap line: 'It happens…clean it up or face a fine up to £1,000.'
Merton Council is one of 85 partner councils across England to have joined Keep Britain Tidy in their campaign. According to the environmental charity, there are currently around 8m dogs in the UK, producing approximately 1m metric tonnes of faeces each year – enough to lay 1,300 Wembley pitches.
Merton Council cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration, Councillor Andrew Judge, said: "The vast majority of dog owners are responsible people who care about our local streets and parks. They do the right thing and dispose of their dog’s mess properly – in a bin.
"Merton has over 330 bins specifically for dog waste, so there really is no excuse for it to be left on our streets. Recent news coverage of two-year-old Amiee Langdon who tragically lost partial sight in her left eye after falling in dog mess last month brings home just how important it is to clean up after our dogs. Mess free parks and streets are safer and more pleasant for everyone.
“The free dog chipping service we’re offering to residents will enable people to keep track of their pets. If their dog strays from home, having an implanted micro-chip will make it easier to find and reunite with its owner.”
The road shows kicked off this week in Morden Park and Morden recreation ground. The team will be on Figges Marsh in Gorringe Park Road, Mitcham, on Thursday September 23, Rock Terrace in Belgrave Road, Mitcham on Wednesday September 29 and Joseph Hood Recreation Ground in Martin Way, Morden on Tuesday October 5.
September 22, 2010