More volunteers in Ellesmere Port have joined forces with the borough council to tackle thoughtless dog owners.

Pupils and staff at Parklands Community Primary School in Little Sutton have helped the council tackle unneighbourly dog walkers by organising a ‘Pink Poo’ initiative around their school.

Children and grownups at the school who travel via the school’s walking bus have worked with the council’s locality officers to highlight the problem of dog fouling.

On the route officers have used chalk-based pink spray paint to highlight the problem to let offenders know that someone is watching.

The council’s Streetscene team have then moved in quickly to clean up the mess with the initiative having the added benefit of clearly pinpointing the unwanted deposits to passers-by.

Joining together to tackle the problem

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

A Pink Poo Toolkit is available on-line on the council’s website to help other communities run their own campaigns.

Ellesmere Port Strawberry ward councillor Mark Henesy (Lab), cabinet member for community and environment, said: “It’s wonderful that the pupils and staff at Parklands have got involved. It’s so good to see that people are joining forces with the council to tackle thoughtless dog owners.

“However, it’s disappointing that a small number of thoughtless dog owners are still failing to pick up after their dog which is both unacceptable and irresponsible behaviour.”

'Pleased action is being taken'

Ros Flanders, headteacher at Parklands said: “The school’s walking bus collects between 40 and 50 children from the local area to walk to school every morning. Aside from being most unpleasant, dog fouling raises health and safety issues for children using this facility. I am pleased that action is being taken to address this issue to ensure that children can enjoy and play in their local area without facing additional risks and hazards.”

Anyone wishing to organise a ‘Pink Poo’ campaign in their area can find out more on the council website by searching ‘Pink Poo’, which gives information about the toolkit or email PinkPoo@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

To report dog fouling use the on-line form on the council website (search ‘dog fouling’), or call 0300 123 7026.