Caistor councillor makes calls for WLDC's new spray-paint scheme to tackle dog mess issues

Dog mess left on the streets of Caistor could soon be spray-painted in a bright colour as part of a bid to tackle the town's fouling problem.
In Horncastle, dog mess was spray painted pink EMN-160513-091800001In Horncastle, dog mess was spray painted pink EMN-160513-091800001
In Horncastle, dog mess was spray painted pink EMN-160513-091800001

West Lindsey District Council has just launched a scheme to highlight the scale of dog fouling on streets - and it involves dog mess being spray-painted bright orange to shame owners into clearing up after their pets.

The pilot scheme is now up and running in Gainsborough’s South-West ward, and Caistor In Bloom chairman, and town councillor, Deborah Barker would like to see it extended to Caistor.

Speaking at Caistor Town Council’s monthly meeting in the town hall on Thursday (May 12), Coun Barker said: “We’re still having a big problem with dog fouling.”

“I’ve asked Owen [WLDC councillor for Caistor Owen Bierley] if we can be the next on the list [for spray paint]…. to address the issue because it’s not going away.”

WLDC prosperous communities committee chairman Coun Owen Bierley is behind the spray-paint scheme.

He said: “People may question why we are spraying the poo orange –instead of picking it up straight away.

“The truth is that despite our best efforts to educate people on clearing up after their dogs and issuing fixed penalty notices, dog fouling is a huge issue in parts of the district.

“We hope this visual campaign will highlight the extent of the problem, and force dog owners to think twice before walking away from their pets mess.

“It is not OK to leave mess on our streets and in our parks for children and other passersby to step or fall into.”

Key ‘problem areas’ in Caistor include Chapel Street, High Street, and next to the town’s post office.

A similar scheme has been carried out in nearby Horncastle, with East Lindsey District Council reporting a subsequent drop in incidents.

In Gainsborough, the mess will be spray-painted by WLDC officers and external partners, including the police and district councillors.

Officers will patrol designated dog mess black-spots and use a spray-gun to blast any offending discoveries.

It is hoped the pilot scheme will highlight the scale of dog fouling on streets and embarrass the owners into clearing up after their pets.

If the ‘orange poos’ are not then subsequently removed by the owner they will be cleared up within a week.

The paint is environmentally friendly and biodegrades away naturally after several weeks.

Free dog bags are available from the council offices to help dog owners keep the streets clean.