More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Ten new bag dispensers for dog mess have been installed to combat fouling.
They are in addition to 15 placed in Dover district two years ago.
From those around 152,000 compostable bags have been dispensed, meaning less single-use plastic in the environment and potentially more than150,000 dog messes picked up.
The work, in collaboration with Dover District Council, is by the company Eco Green Communities.
It has also agreed to supply 10 trees to plant at each new site to offset the carbon footprint of the new stations.
The council stresses that dog fouling is both unpleasant and dangerous.
Contact with dog excrement can cause toxocariasis which can affect the liver and lungs and cause breathing difficulties.
Anyone who fails to pick up after their dog can be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £100, and if the case goes to court, individuals can end up with a bill of up to £1,000.
Dover District Council continues to work to inform and educate people about the need to pick up after their pets and has enforcement patrols.
All this also follows the success of the Great British Spring Clean, in which around 300 volunteers took part in litter picks across Dover, Deal and Sandwich.
Cllr Nicholas Kenton, DDC cabinet member for regulatory services, said of Eco Green's work: " This is a great opportunity to work with communities and businesses to keep our district clean and safe for everyone, and to continue to encourage more people to take responsibility for cleaning-up after their pets.”
"Where our stations are installed there’s a decrease in dog fouling complaints."
Julie Cook of Eco Green Communities said: “By sponsoring these stations, local companies have been helping to reduce dog fouling, which is a perennial problem for many local authorities.
" A survey of the councils we’re working with has shown that where our stations are installed there’s an average decrease in dog fouling complaints of 49.4% and a 56.8% decrease in overall littering in the same areas.
That has to be a positive result.”
The 25 dispenser stations are at the following locations:
Deal: Cross Road, North Deal Recreation Ground in Western Road, Sandown Road (car park area at Sandown Castle), Seafront (promenade near pier), Southwall Road, Victoria Park (near skate park).
Dover: Barton Footpath off Cherry Tree Avenue, Connaught Park (main entrance near toilets and up steps from layby on Connaught Road), Elms Vale Recreation Ground at Elms Vale Road, Harbour View Road in Tower Hamlets, Mount Road in Maxton.
Eastry: Gun Park Recreation Ground.
Elvington:Terrace Road.
Kingsdown: Undercliffe Road.
St Margaret's-at-Cliffe: St Margaret's Bay (near toilets).
Sandwich: Town Walk (Butts Walk area and The Quay).
Temple Ewell: Kearsney Abbey (main car park in Alkham Road and Chilton Way entrance), Russell Gardens in Alkham Road.
Walmer: Marke Wood Recreation Ground (Dover Road, Liverpool Road and Warwick Road entrances), Walmer Green in The Strand.
