THE leader of Argyll and Bute Council says it's time for the authority to "show we mean business" in tackling the never-ending problem of dog fouling in the area.
Kintyre and the Islands Liberal Democrat councillor Robin Currie irresponsible dog owners should be charged "hit in the pocket" if they're seen failing to clean up after their pet.
And the area’s Provost, David Kinniburgh (Conservative, Helensburgh and Lomond South), has also had reports of drains in Helensburgh being blocked by poo bags.
The discussion took place during a virtual meeting of the council’s environment, development and infrastructure committee on Thursday, March 4.
Councillor John Armour (SNP, South Kintyre) initially raised the issue during debate on a "report card" which rated the performance of the council's staff in various service areas.
He said: “The indicator for cleanliness is very good, and rightly so, but from what I can gather there is a serious problem with dog fouling throughout Argyll and Bute.
READ MORE: Cardross pupils spearhead new poster campaign against dog fouling
“The lack of wardens is a problem, but the biggest is those who allow dogs to do it in the first place.
"I don’t know whether getting a message out will make much difference because if people don’t realise by now that it isn’t acceptable, I don’t know what the answer is.
“But we have to be seen to do something, whether by social media, putting posters out, or similar.
"I have had one instance of somebody letting their dog do its business beside a pram, and all the items in the basket below were covered in dog mess. The owner just shrugged their shoulders and said ‘What can I do?’.
“I know we cannot police these things without people’s names, but we need to be saying to the council that we must be getting out there.”
READ MORE: Dog fouling complaints in Helensburgh and Lomond up by almost 40 per cent in lockdown
Jim Smith, the council’s amenity services manager, responded: “By and large we have less of a problem than in some other areas, where it is quite disgusting.
"I would say most dog owners are responsible and clean up after their dogs.
“A social media campaign would assist and we will look at the council website as well to see if more information can be given out.”
Councillor Currie then said: “It is definitely a big problem in Argyll and Bute. It doesn’t matter where you go – it is all over the place.
“I am being very strong here, but I think we need to be strong, and I would like to see a big push to try and pin down the owners, get them charged, and show people we mean business.
READ MORE: Fury at irresponsible owners over spike in dog fouling at Helensburgh's cemetery
“Social media may do some things but we will never get through to irresponsible dog owners. The only way of doing that is hitting them in the pocket.”
And Provost Kinniburgh added: “I totally agree it is a major problem throughout the area, and it is how people dispose of their dog’s mess as well.
“I have had reports in the Cardross area of people tying the bags to trees and just leaving them there. There was also an issue in an area of Helensburgh where drains were blocked.
“When workmen went to clear the drains, they found that people had picked up after their dog, put it in the bag and shoved it down the drain, and it was that blocking the drains.
“It is brought up on a regular basis. We encourage people to report anybody they know who is doing this, and any reports are anonymous.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here