Last updated at 15:02, Friday, 20 April 2012

A PARISH council has spent hundreds of pounds trying to stop the dog fouling problem blighting a coastal village.

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AT WORK: Cleaning up dog mess on Askam’s popular access path at Sandy Lane are (from left) parish council clerk Janice Cummings, younger town resident Brooke Smith-Hadwick, Councillor Liz Gaskell, Cllr Councillor Sandra Hadwick JON GRANGER REF: 50032231B000

A lane known to residents of Askam as ‘dog poo alley’ was cleaned by contractors just over a month ago – at a cost of £100 to the Askam and Ireleth Parish Council.

But Councillor Liz Gaskell said the problem is now worse than ever.

“I don’t think it is people coming through to the village to walk their dogs. People always complain about the problem but it is Askam residents doing it.

“Clearly there are people in the village who don’t pick up after their dog and someone must know who they are.

“We’ve got to report the people responsible for this. The only way they will learn is if they start getting hit with fines.”

The council also spends £250 annually on 3,000 dog poo bags, which are available for free to the community.

Cllr Gaskell said: “Residents should be aware just how much the parish council spends on being both proactive and reactive on the issue.

“It is public money we are spending and I can’t imagine that residents will be happy that their money is being spent picking up after those who won’t. It is down to individual dog owners to do the right thing, as well as us reporting those that don’t.

“There are bins all round the village and everyone should have their own wheelie bin. Everything that is required is there.

“People have just got to have the good sense and respect for the community to pick up after their animals.

“The parish council is committed to tackling the problem, but all they have to do is pick it up.”

• Dog poo bags are available for free from the Askam police pod, in Sandy Lane.

First published at 13:13, Thursday, 12 April 2012
Published by http://www.askamlocal.co.uk