HEREFORDSHIRE Council and community representatives have launched a new campaign to tackle dog fouling across the county.

Councillors, schools reps, vets, pet owners, community clean up groups and West Mercia Police, gathered on Great Western Way in Hereford, to mark the launch of the campaign last week, with the aim of encouraging owners to pick up after their dogs.

A new Public Space Protection Order for dog control came into effect in March 2018 and council enforcement officers travel to locations throughout the county taking action dog owners who do not keep their pets under control or clean up after them.

Residents can now also report dog mess themselves via the council’s website.

And by providing as much information as possible, they can help the council target problematic areas.

The brand new signage to encourage owners to clean up after their dogs features illustrations designed by pupils of Holmer School.

Councillor Barry Durkin, Cabinet Member for Transport and Regulatory Services, said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of our new Bag it, Bin it campaign this week.

“We have been working in partnership with our local communities, including schools, vets, dog trainers, pet owners, anti-littering groups and West Mercia Police, in order to highlight the issue of dog mess and the measures the council has introduced to help tackle it.

“Our brand new signage should encourage those owners who do not, to clean up after their dogs. The signage features wonderful illustrations designed by Kaja Hilsden and Mason Stephens, pupils of Holmer school.

“We hope this launch will encourage residents to make use of our new online link which allows anyone to report dog fouling via the Herefordshire Council website.

“By providing details such as descriptions and locations, people can help us target Enforcement appropriately, targeting problem areas and eliminating as much dog mess as possible from our streets, lanes and green spaces.”

“Cleaning up after your dog is just one part of being a responsible owner, and we have a campaign planned to extend throughout summer and beyond to champion responsible dog ownership across Herefordshire.”