Argyll and Bute Council will today launch a campaign to encourage dog owners to #maketheirpupproud and pick up after their dog.
The four week social media campaign features dogs saying how they feel when their owners make the effort to clean up, or let them down by not bothering.
Council staff and members of the public have shared photos and ideas for the campaign.
To support the campaign, community councils will also be offered free posters that can be erected in popular dog-walking areas to act as a reminder to people to clean up after their pets.
Council leader, Councillor Robin Currie, has led the call for dog owners to be responsible and will write a personal letter to community councils to ask them to join in the fight against dog fouling in towns, villages and on farmland.
Councillor Currie said: “This is something I know most communities feel strongly about and we need to tackle it together. Most people clean up after their dogs – we know this. We need to remind the one in 10 that don’t pick up that this just isn’t acceptable.
“It is up to all of us to keep Argyll and Bute beautiful. What we want to do with our campaign is remind people of the social and health dangers that leaving dog mess behind can create. I’m sure if more people considered the effect not picking up after their dog has on others, they would be more considerate.
“On our part, we want to target our resources as effectively as possible. If you want to tell us, in confidence, about a dog owner who does not clean up their dog, you can call us on 01546 605514 or online at Report It (argyll-bute.gov.uk). Provide as much detail as possible and we may be able to take action. Sometimes a warning is enough to deter further offences.”
For more information on being a responsible dog owner, go to Dogs and dog ownership (argyll-bute.gov.uk). You can also find copies of our poster for downloading as well as a special poster for use on farmland.