A map of where Carnoustie’s worst “dog mess” offenders fail to clean up after their pets has been created by the community council.
Although the council is in abeyance until the elections at the end of the month, the campaign was instigated by the members who recently held office.
Former chairman Jim Simpson said, “Carnoustie Community Council’s dog poo ‘hot-spots map’ is an attempt to highlight the extent of the dog fouling problem in our streets and public spaces throughout the entire community.
“While we recognise it as an unscientific and random survey, the aim has been to raise public awareness and all reported sightings have been made by members of the public either via our own website, the OurCarnoustie Facebook website or through written or verbal contact with the community council.”
He added, “As can be seen from the map, the problem is widespread but the reported ‘hot-spot’ areas are High Street, Queen Street, Tennis Road/Keith Avenue, Maule Street, Green Lane and Lochty Street.
“Also topping the list of hot-spots are the network of paths around Carlogie Primary School, Braehead Lane which runs between Yeaman Street and Terrace Road, and the roadway running from the foot of Fox Street to Bonella Street.
“The practice by some of lifting and bagging the poo and then discarding the bag and contents on the pavement or verge has attracted many complaints, with Links Avenue and the roadways adjacent to the Burnside Golf Course and along the sea front at the Buddon Course singled out for criticism.”
Suggestions by residents for the provision of new dog waste bins at various locations, along with ideas such as the issue of free dog bags, will be pursued with Angus Council when the community council reconvenes in November.
One respondent who took part in the campaign and pointed out several sites where offenders regularly fail to pick up after their dogs told the community council, “I own a dog and I take my responsibilities of cleaning up after my pet seriously. I took on my pet with a full understanding of this.
“The council are at fault as even with complaints they do very little to pursue matters.
“My eight-year-old child cannot play outside our home without repercussions.”
Another said, “I think it’s great that the community council is making the effort to improve our town and encourage the minority of dog owners who do not take responsibility for cleaning up after their dogs.
“I am personally fed up by the continual mess in Queen Street, particularly the bottom half of the street which I now avoid on my way home if possible. I also find it disgusting to see dog poo on the High Street beside food shops, often trailed along the pavement by prams and shoes.”
The community council anti-dog fouling display, which has so far visited the public library and the leisure centre, is due to go on view at the Panmure Centre until the end of the month.