Bag it, and bin it

DOGs may well be man’s best friend, but dog ownership carries with it great responsibility. Not taking that duty seriously can have a serious impact on the lives of everyone.

There’s little that can ruin a day out in the park or at a local beauty spot more than stepping in dog mess.

It’s an age-old problem that continues to cause feelings to run high, despite high profile campaigns designed to educate dog owners and encourage them to do the right thing.

This week is National Poop Scoop Week, and Newark and Sherwood District Council is working with the Dogs Trust to hammer the message home.

The trust acknowledges dog mess is an unpleasant aspect of dog ownership.

It says nationally, MPs receive more complaints about dog mess than anything else.

It is easy to see how a relatively small minority of owners can tarnish the reputation of all, when the district council deals with hundreds of complaints about dog mess every year.

It is a serious health hazard, so why run the risk of someone suffering as a result of a stubborn refusal to keep our streets and open spaces clean?

Always carry some means of clearing up after your dog, whether it is a poop scoop or plastic bag.

Put it in a dog mess bin, or take it home. Either way, dispose of it responsibly.

The more dog owners who set the right example, the better.

The message couldn’t be more clear: Bag it, and bin it.