Dogs of all breeds and sizes joined Enfield Council to launch its Poop Happens campaign, designed to keep our parks and open spaces clear of dog fouling.
The Poop Happens programme aims to see dog owners take responsibility by picking up after their dogs.
Enfield Council was met by professional dog trainer Clare Grierson of Muddy Mutleys and a number of proud dog owners to demonstrate their support for the campaign. They meet regularly at Bury Lodge Park in Bush Hill Park for lessons and of course, come armed with plenty of disposable dog poop bags.
Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for environment, Cllr Guney Dogan, said: “Not only is dog fouling unpleasant and unsightly, it’s unhygienic, spreads diseases and is costly for the council to tackle. Importantly, responsible dog ownership requires owners to clean up after their dogs. Owners who don’t do this can be issued with a £100 fixed penalty notice. Refusal to pay can lead to prosecution and a criminal record with a maximum fine of £1,000.”
Other interventions have already helped to keep public spaces cleaner and safer for users. Last year, Enfield Council worked with the Dogs Trust on creating a walking route in Trent Country Park, encouraging dog walkers and their pooches along a mapped-out route which is well-serviced with bins. By nudging dog owners along this route, there was a reduction in dog fouling by 53%, according to the Dogs Trust.
Residents can report dog fouling online. If the person responsible for leaving waste cannot be found, the Council will clean up the street as part of their regular street cleaning routine.