Reader snaps fouled-up bin (From St Helens Star)

Reader snaps fouled-up bin

7:00am Friday 25th January 2013 in News

A POOP scoop bin is pictured, right, overflowing a fortnight after new laws aimed at tackling irresponsible dog owners were introduced.

The Fouling of Land by Dogs Order 2012 means the local authority can issue an £80 fixed penalty notice to anyone seen failing to clear up after their dog has fouled on public land.

But as this picture, taken by a Star reader, shows, a dog fouling bin in Sherdley Park was overflowing a week after the new laws kicked in.

The dog walker who submitted the picture said: “I always clean up after my pet, and it annoys me that the majority of letters (sent to the Star) never show this side of the problem.

“The council provided these bins for a reason, but they need to be maintained and emptied more frequently as this happens regularly.

“I also take my pet up to the Clock Face country park on Gorsey Lane where the bins were blown up by fireworks last year and haven’t been replaced.”

A St Helens Council spokesman said: “The 400 dog bins across St Helens are emptied weekly. We also provide more than half a million free poop scoop bags every year for responsible dog owners.

“However some dog bins may fill up more quickly at holiday times.

“Council rangers report bins that may require an additional empty, but we can’t be everywhere at once.

“We welcome reports from residents through the contact centre on 01744 676789, or e-mailcontactcentre@ sthelens.gov.uk, so we can respond quickly.”