20 May 2015
A new campaign which aims to reduce the amount of dog poo in Jersey has been launched by Eco-Active.
‘Proud of you for picking up my poo’ features a cartoon dog called Eric, which reminds dog walkers of the importance of clearing up after their animals.
Islanders are being asked to nominate the worst hot-spots for dog mess over the next fortnight. Eco-Active will then compile a list of the top ten worst affected areas. The team will focus efforts on improving those areas, as well as campaigning more widely to reduce the number of people who own or walk a dog but don’t pick up after them.
Contact the team on social media
There are more than 7,500 licensed dogs in Jersey, producing 221 tons of poo each year. If just one owner doesn’t pick up after their dog, that’s 30kg littering the Island each year.
Eco-Active programme manager Jane Burns said "We need everyone’s help to make this campaign work. Identifying the worst affected parts of the Island will help us to focus our efforts. Please tell us, through email or social media, where the hot-spots are. The more specific your information, the better.
"Another issue that we receive complaints about is dog owners leaving or forgetting bagged-up poo when they walk their dogs. In response, we’ve launched a practical initiative: stickers are available for people to put on their bins that tell dog walkers they can dispose of the bags in their bin alongside regular household waste if they need to. We have other resources available too, including poo bags, posters and badges. We hope that by drawing attention to this issue, the public will help persuade people to be responsible, and reduce the amount of dog poo across Jersey."
Hazard to human health
Natural environment officer, Henry Glynn, said "Dog mess can be a hazard to human health and damages plants and animals in wild areas. In a recent consultation we did on access to the countryside, 15 per cent of people who responded said dog mess was their biggest concern.
"In the course of my day-to-day work in Jersey’s public nature conservation sites, I’ve been highlighting the issue when I meet dog walkers. The responsible ones, who clear up after their animals, are keen to get recognition for the important role they play in raising concerns and highlighting the problem caused by a small but persistent minority."
Information about the campaign and free downloadable posters and a list of places stocking the bin stickers and campaign pin badges, and free emergency biodegradable poo bags, are available on the campign page.
Proud of You campaign
gov.je