A CAMPAIGN has been encouraged to get dog owners to clean up after their pets.

Wigan Council's "Paws and Pick It Up" campaign is looking to crackdown on the small minority of dog owners who flout the law and spoil public spaces for everyone else.

As part of the scheme, the council will be releasing bag dispensers and torches to aid pet owners when they are out, especially at night.

In The Big Listening project residents said they wanted clean and green communities they could be proud of.

The council’s Our Town campaign is tackling environmental issues to ensure the borough remains cleaner and more attractive to residents.

On average, the costs for dealing with dog-related complaints, dog fouling removal, education and enforcement costs the council approximately £150,000 annually.

Cllr Paul Prescott, cabinet member for environment at the council, said: “While the vast majority of dog owners in Wigan and Leigh are responsible people who pick up after their pets, there is still a small minority who leave the mess behind in places where children play.

“The latest feedback from residents tells us that dog fouling is a priority in the borough and one they would like to see addressed.

“It is every dog owner’s duty to clean up after their dog.

"There are no excuses, fouling is unacceptable.”

Leigh Journal:

Thelma the therapy dog and promotional items being distributed by Wigan Council

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A recent consultation which attracted just short of 500 responses found that the vast majority were in favour of dog fouling enforcement across public land and for owners to always have poo bags at the ready anytime they walked their pooch.

If approved next month, Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) could soon cover dog fouling hotspots and mean dogs are not allowed to be walked on children’s play areas and sports pitches, while also kept on their leads in defined areas.

PSPOs are proposed around play areas in the following public parks; Haigh Hall, Pennington Flash Country Park, Mesnes Park, Jubilee Park, Central Park/Morley St Park, Leyland Park, Abram Park, Pennington Hall Park, Ashfield Park, Shevington Park, Astley St Park, Alexandra Park, Firs Park and Westleigh Park.

The promotional items that are being released by the council will be available to residents at libraries across the borough but are on a first come, first served basis.

Anyone wishing to receive an item will also be asked to fill out a short questionnaire which asks people about the issue and anything the council could do to support pet owners.

Residents can report instances of dog fouling via the Report It app. For more information, click here.