An Oxford councillor has been conducting twice weekly patrols to tackle dog fouling in an area of Oxford.
Labour councillor Marie Tidball who represents Hinksey Park initiated steps to tackle the problem after receiving several complaints from people living in the area and parents at New Hinksey School.
The issue of owners failing to clean up dog mess has been reported around the gates of New Hinksey School, Wytham Street and Devil’s Backbone bridge.
READ ALSO: Oxford area sees increase in dog fouling on streets
One dog walker, who was out walking on Devil’s Backbone, described dog fouling in the area as “disgusting”.
She said: “There are a lot of dogs around so it’s not surprising really. It is quite bad at the moment.
“What worries me is the prams and children’s bikes that are going in and out of houses.”
A man who lives on Wytham Street, and wished to remain anonymous, said while the issue is “better than it used to be years ago” he does see foul on the road.
He added that just last week there was dog mess left at the bottom of his own gate.
This experience was echoed by another man who lives further up Wytham street who said “Occasionally, a dog does do a poo on our driveway”.
Ms Tidball, along with fellow councillor Naomi Waite, has been working to reduce the issue in the area.
Ms Tidball said: “Myself and colleagues including the dog warden have been conducting twice a week patrols in full uniform over the last six to eight weeks, alongside Community Response Teams, to resolve the issue outside New Hinksey School by the front gate, Wytham Street, the footpath to the Devil’s Backbone Bridge, along with the bridge itself.
“During these patrols we are always in full uniform and visible to members of the public and dog walkers. We have engaged a lot of dog walkers and issued free dog poo bags during our patrol times to those who needed them.
The whole idea was to show presence and engage dog walkers and encourage them to clear dog mess after their dog fouling.
“Officers have been patrolling the area, including Hinksey Park, and engaging with staff at the school as well as members of the public.”
She added: “We have placed a lot of ‘no dog fouling’ stickers on lamppost of the above mentioned areas and ‘no dog fouling’ signs in suitable places.”
She added that recent communications with the school have revealed the “problem has greatly reduced” since the join operation began.
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