Love your beach? Then don’t be a dumper!
Teignbridge District Council has launched a new campaign ‘Don’t be a Dumper’ that aims to get people to pick up after their pooch and reduce the amount of dog mess that is left on the sands and seafront areas of local resorts.
Throughout this week (Monday February 1 to Friday February 5) Teignbridge’s resorts staff will be using glow in the dark temporary spray paint to mark dog mess on the promenade areas. Dog wardens will be out in force and will fine anyone who is seen not picking up. On Friday Feb 5 there will be a big clear up to remove what’s been left behind.
Research shows that dog fouling is a major concern to the public. What’s also a big problem is the increasing amounts of bagged dog faeces are being left behind as people fail to dispose of the bags after cleaning up after their pets.
Dog mess is not only unsightly but once the tide comes in, it also pollutes the sea that we swim in and can sometimes be seen along the shoreline in dog bags. It can be harmful to marine life and takes many years to biodegrade in the ocean.
Cllr George Gribble, Teignbridge District Council’s Deputy Leader and Executive member for Recreation and Leisure said:
“Teignbridge is committed to maintaining clean beaches and open spaces. Most dog owners behave responsibly and pick up and dispose of their dog’s poo in the bins provided by our beaches and seafronts. Unfortunately there are people who do not clear up after their dog and these are the people we are targeting. This competition is an excellent way of doing it.
“Dog fouling is a serious offence. Teignbridge will investigate complaints of dog fouling, patrol problem areas and prosecute offenders. If you are caught you will be issued with a fixed penalty of £50 and failure to pay could result in court action and an increased fine.
“Our message to those who aren’t doing this is: Don’t be a Dumper – help us make Teignbridge an even nicer and cleaner place by clearing after your dogs and saving someone else having to clear up after you.”
Don’t be a Dumper is supported by Teignmouth and Dawlish Town Councils, businesses, Dawlish Warren Tourism Group, and Teignmouth and Dawlish Town Centre Development Manager Tracy Scranage.
Dawlish Warren Tourism Group’s Chairwoman Helen Scott said:
“As a popular tourist destination with visitors increasing all year round, it’s extremely important to keep our beautiful area a clean and safe place to visit. It’s a real shame that a minority of persistent offenders give dog owners a bad name. As a dog owner myself it’s easy to carry a dog poo bag with you and clean up after your dog.
“Dawlish Warren Tourism fully supports the Teignbridge ‘Don’t be a Dumper’ campaign and hopes it will educate dog owners to clean up after their dogs and dispose of in a responsible manner.”
Tracy Scranage, Teignmouth and Dawlish Town Centre Development Manager of the Teignmouth and Dawlish Community Interest Company, said:
“The Teignmouth and Dawlish Community Interest Company are fully behind this initiative and will I be assisting during the week. Dog fouling cannot be allowed to blight our lovely town centres and seafronts.
“We are all aware that a vast majority of our dog owners who walk their dogs on the seafront, and indeed are a vital part of the economy, pick up their dogs mess and these owners are as irritated as we all are by the ignorant few who give all dog owners a bad name.”
