Call-out for daily exercisers to record scale of dog fouling problem

At a time when people are making more use of the open and green spaces in their communities Keep Scotland Beautiful are concerned that reports of dog fouling are increasing.

In response, environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful has launched a nationwide call for people across Scotland to help record the scale of the dog fouling problem.

Evidence gathered in surveys last year by the charity showed that 10 percent of surveyed sites were blighted by dog poo.

Now volunteers are being asked to identify a 100m stretch of local road, path or walk through a local greenspace - whilst exercising and in accordance to Government guidance - and count then submit information on the number of instances of dog fouling (bagged and un-bagged) that they find.

The information will form a unique new data set to be used to increase awareness and drive action to tackle one of Scotland’s worst environmental complaints.

Keep Scotland Beautiful's Paul Wallace said: “It is extremely disappointing that the thoughtless actions of irresponsible dog owners means that our shared enjoyment of our local open and green spaces, and a brief escape from the stresses and strains of the current situation, can be ruined.

“That is why Keep Scotland Beautiful is calling on individuals and families to take part in #TurdTag, helping to gather evidence from communities across Scotland to get an accurate picture of the scale of this problem – it is simple and easy to take part as part of the daily exercise allowed in guidance from the Scottish Government.”

Results should be submitted to cleanup@keepscotlandbeautiful.org by May 11 2020 and shared using social media and the hashtag #turdtag.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.