Incidents of dog fouling in Woodthorpe seem to be on the rise, despite additional litter and dog waste bin having been installed across the ward.

One resident has made their feeling very clear on one snicket footpath.

City of York Council is asking local communities to get involved in tackling the problem. Set out below is a briefing note which sets out details of a project that groups of residents can get involved with. Ward funding would be available to cover the costs of the project.

Aim of the project

To combat the growing incidents of dog fouling around York, to equip stakeholders and members of the public with information to help raise awareness and the means to report incidents and help tackle the problem at a local level.

Why do we want to do this?

There has been an increase in reports of dog fouling to Neighbourhood Enforcement both from members of the public and via Public Realm.

There is insufficient resource to carry out the amount of patrolling necessary to cover all problem areas and offences often take place at unsocial hours when officers will not be available to patrol. 

In addition, patrols alone are not the most effective tool to deter people from allowing their dogs to foul; more local ownership of the problem is required – to be the eyes and ears of the community and make the offence socially unacceptable.

Scope of Project

• The project will revolve around a package of information, guidance and free materials for dog owners, aimed at ward councillors, Parish councils, Resident Associations and community groups.
• The package will include:-

Advertising Materials and guidance

• 100 “Its not a game” flyers for door to door delivery
  • Bespoke flyers/postcards for targeted campaigns by street
  • Information on School engagement to design a poster
  • Information on designing their own
  • Pricing and information for A4 lamp-post mounted aluminium signs

Free Merchandise

• Supply of dog poo bags
  • Supply of hand sanitiser
  • Spray Paint

Intelligence Gathering

• Monitoring report forms for information gathering
  • Local Maps – on request
  • Incident reporting booklets
  • Comprehensive instructions to help identify perpetrators and/or problem locations and times

• The pack will provide a six-week campaign brief to help groups take a step by step approach to educating, engaging and enforcing the anti-dog fouling message.

• Updated CYC webpages with dedicated info and downloadable resources, links to Keep Britain Tidy website, RSPCA…..

What is required?

• Agree budget
• Order merchandise
• Order spray paint
• Complete campaign pack information
• Design intelligence reporting form
• Design bespoke flyer / postcard
• Design bin sticker – any bin will do
• Design school poster brief
• Create webpage
• Decide on Twitter account #tag
• Promote use of social media – Facebook and Twitter to raise awareness