Volunteers in Handbridge are helping Cheshire West and Chester Council tackle thoughtless dog owners by organising a special initiative in their area.

The Friends of Edgar’s Field Park in Chester have volunteered as part of the council’s Good Dog Ownership campaign to highlight the problem of dog fouling.

The volunteers will use chalk-based pink spray paint to highlight the problem to let them know that someone is watching. The council’s Streetscene Team will then move in quickly to clean up the mess. This initiative has the added benefit of clearly pinpointing the unwanted deposits to passers-by.

Research by Keep Britain Tidy has shown that dog walkers are more responsible and pick up after their dogs, when they think that they are being watched.

Handbridge is one of three hotspot areas selected for the ‘pink poo’ initiative; the others are Little Sutton and Neston. A pink poo toolkit is also available on-line to help other communities to run their own campaigns.

Cabinet member for localities and communities, Councillor Mark Henesy said: “We know that dog fouling is a key issue for our residents. The message is simple - bag it and bin it – any rubbish bin will do.

“I’m delighted that our campaign is involving residents across Cheshire West. It’s so good to see that people are saying enough is enough and taking action to help us to tackle thoughtless dog owners. Community engagement was always planned to be a key part of our campaign.”

Local Handbridge park councillor Razia Daniels said: “It’s wonderful that the Friends of Edgar’s Field Park are getting involved and helping us with our campaign.

“We really need volunteers in other areas of Handbridge – particularly Appleyards Lane, Prenton Place and Allington Place. It is simply a case of spraying and then logging the problem areas and emailing the information through to the council. Clearing up is then organised by our Streetscene teams.

“It is really a simple, effective campaign so please contact our website where officers will be able to help you.”

The council’s Good Dog Ownership campaign consists of raising awareness and community engagement; there will then be a clamp down on thoughtless dog owners through an enforcement phase. Responsible dog owners always pick up after their pet and anyone caught letting their dog foul can face a fine of £75.

Leaflets, posters, events, school visits and social media are being used to raise awareness of the issue and promote good dog ownership.

Steve Rogers, chair of the Friends of Edgar’s Field Park said: “Most local dog owners are considerate of others, however it is absolutely vital that we do everything we can to especially protect the health of all the young children and toddlers that play in the park these days. So we strongly support this initiative.”

If you would like to organise a ‘pink poo’ campaign in your area, you can find out more on the council website by searching ‘pink poo” which gives information about the toolkit or email PinkPoo@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk