Concern over ‘increasing problem’ of dog fouling in Ellesmere Port

A FRUSTRATED Ellesmere Port resident has hit out at ‘selfish’ dog owners who are failing to clean up after their pets.

The woman, who lives in Wolverham, says she is appalled at the increasing amount of dog mess on the streets near her home, and that the problem doesn’t appear to be getting any better.

She also says she is ‘disgusted’ at the amount of faeces lying outside her granddaughter’s school which she sees children ‘regularly walking into’.

“This is becoming a real issue in this area,” said the woman, who does not wish to be named.

“I like animals and it’s not the fault of the dogs, it is the people walking them and I just don’t know how in this day and age that it is still happening.

“They need to be taking more responsibility for their dogs but they just don’t seem to care. At the end of the day, it is vandalism.”

She added that she has even noticed her water bills are higher than usual since she has had to clean up the mess outside her house herself.

“It becomes my business when I have to go out of my own house to go and clear the mess up,” she said.

“In the summer the problem is going to be worse when flies are swarming around the mess.”

However, a Cheshire West and Chester Council spokesman said members of the public should be reporting instances of dog fouling whenever they see it.

“Dog fouling is an issue the council takes very seriously and is working hard to combat,” he said.

“Dog fouling roadshows regularly tour the borough in a bid to inform and educate residents and community safety wardens and dog wardens are monitoring complaints and issuing enforcement notices wherever possible.

“We really rely on residents to become our eyes and ears in their neighbourhoods and encourage members of the public to notify us of instances of dog fouling, via our ‘Report It’ link on our website or by calling the Streetscene team on 0300 123 7026.

“We endeavour to remove dog waste within 24 working hours on all land open to the public that Streetscene maintains, which includes public open space, parks, gardens, play areas and car parks.”