A new offensive has been launched against irresponsible dog owners after it emerged Angus Council is scooping up 2,000 poops across the district every month.
The authority has now launched a new Bag it and Bin it clean-up campaign to consign disgusting doggie do to the garbage can.
Clean-up Angus champions have also joined forces with council waste collectors and community wardens to promote the message in a short campaign film.
The film features Forfar school pupil Sophie Ann Robson, who won a Keep Scotland Beautiful Hero of the Month award for her anti-dog fouling campaigning around the town’s Whitehills Primary.
Sophie Ann, who appears with her dog Jesse, said: “I love my dog Jesse and I don’t expect the council or someone else to clean up after us why should they?”
Dog fouling continually appears as one of the main gripes in Angus community surveys and the “Bag it and Bin it, Leave only Pawprints” message is also one that Carnoustie Canine Capers have been promoting for nearly four years.
Group coordinator Flora Cairnie said: “Through the promotion of the Green Dog Walkers initiative, whose branding is available to any burgh or community group in Angus, we are actively encouraging people to clean up after their dogs.
“We have gathered a lot of support, including that from many businesses who carry a sign in their window offering poo bags if anyone has forgotten one.”
Councillor Jeanette Gaul, chair of the council’s Pride in Place group, said: “Dog fouling isn’t just a disgusting, messy business, it’s a costly one, too.
“The council’s dedicated ‘poover’ operator is deployed across Angus and every week ‘poovers’ up over 2,000 dog faeces.
“All of that effort is making a difference last year there was a 67% improvement at almost 300 locations across Angus but we need less mess, not more costly clean-up.
“That’s why we’re urging dog owners to have some pride in their community and clean up after their dogs,” she went on.
“Please pick up after your pooch and bag it and bin it.”
There are more than 1,600 litter and dog waste bins across Angus.
Ms Gaul added: “If you spot anyone who doesn’t clean up after their dog call the council and report it on 08452 777778 so we can contact the dog owner.”
The latest move comes after junior rangers at Forfar Loch Country Park shamed dog owners who failed to pick up after their pets at the popular attraction.
Youngsters have placed marker flags next to piles of dog mess and have also hung bags representing discarded dog poo on a tree at the north end of the loch.
The Clean-up Angus Bag It and Bin It film is now showing on the council’s You Tube channel.