Current track

Title

Artist


Dog Mess is Unsightly and Unhygienic!

Written by on 22 January 2019

Thirty dog waste dispensers have been helping dog walkers clean up after their pets for 30 months.

Swale Borough Council teamed up with Scandinavian company TiksPac in the summer of 2016, in a first of its kind scheme to provide free dog waste bags in community areas such as local parks to help people who may have left theirs at home to clear up after their dog.

The stations are paid for by local businesses advertising on the stations, bringing them increased exposure to potential customers, and demonstrating their support for improving the local environment and tackling an issue which is important to many residents. Since launching the scheme in 2016 new sponsors have come forward and expressed an interest in showing their support.

The 30 TiksPac stations are positioned at popular dog-walking locations across the borough. Some community groups and parish councils may soon be expanding this scheme to provide new dispensers around the borough.

Cllr Nicholas Hampshire, deputy cabinet member for environment and rural affairs says:

“Dog mess is unsightly and can be dangerous to young children. There’s no excuse for people not to clean up after their pet – people have the right to walk on clean streets and paths. The majority of owners are responsible though, and these innovative and convenient dispensers assist anyone who finds themselves without a bag whilst on a dog walk.”

The partnership scheme won the award for Best Community and Neighbourhood Initiative at the prestigious Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Awards in 2017.