Join the doggie-doo crew and say "No!" to dog-fouling

Owning a dog is a real pleasure but all responsible dog owners know that picking up after your dog is part of the package. A bit of dog mess can ruin your whole day or, worse, can transmit toxocariasis which can cause blindness. Transform’s Neighbourhood Wardens and Ilfracombe Town Council are finding that dog fouling is the issue causing most concern to residents in Ilfracombe at the moment. Most owners do clean up after their dogs, but it only takes a few irresponsible dog owners to give everyone else a bad name. The silent majority in Ilfracombe is silent no longer: we’re proud of our beautiful town and we’re saying ‘No!’ to dog fouling!

Transform Neighbourhood Management, North Devon District Council, Ilfracombe Town Council, the Police, and the North Devon Journal joined forces to launch the “Ilfracombe says no!” anti-dogfouling campaign at the North Devon Dog Day at Ilfracombe Seafront on 8 April. The day was a great success as dog owners and their dogs entered competitions and watched dog obedience demonstrations. Many owners were inspired to put their own dogs through their paces in an effort to take home their bronze responsible dog ownership certificate. The final test was to make sure that owners had a spare dog bag at the ready.

A lack of dog bags and the belief that dogfoulers won’t get caught are the two most common reasons that irresponsible dog-owners give for not clearing up after their dog. The “Ilfracombe says no!” campaign is making these excuses look pretty pathetic, as dog bags are now available from many shops, the Town Council Hygiene Operative (Brian), Transform’s Neighbourhood Wardens and the ‘Doggie-doo Crew’ with their distinctive dog-paw t-shirts. The Police Community Support Officers have also now been armed with tickets and are on the look-out to give dogfoulers an instant ticket. Dog-foulers will be fined £50. Spread the word!