Lead the way with responsible dog ownership!

The Responsible Dog Ownership initiative recognises those who do the right thing with the opportunity to enter a prize draw.

Waste Investigation Support Enforcement (WISE) officers will be handing out cards to people who can then enter the draw as part of an ongoing campaign to tackle dog fouling across the borough.

Between September 2023 and August 2024, 284 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) were issued for dog related offences, including having no means to pick up, dogs not on leads and dog fouling.

In an effort to combat this, North East Lincolnshire Council have launched the Poo Bag Partnership and introduced a range of stencils in certain hotspots to reduce dog fouling issues. A number of businesses have already signed up to the partnership including:

• Café Delight, Pasture Street
• Cleethorpes Tourism Information Centre
• We Are One pet food bank
• Canopy Kitchen, Grant Thorold Park

With more partners set to be announced in the coming weeks and months, the Council is creating a network of businesses and organisations that are aligned against dog fouling.

Councillor Ron Shepherd, Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “We don’t want residents to think we are only concerned with those who are doing wrong.

“Whilst there are rules that need to be enforced, it’s important we reward the people who are acting in the appropriate manner.

“The Responsible Dog Ownership scheme is just one way we can make sure that people are recognised for doing what is right. Some may suggest it isn’t conducive to reward people for doing what they should, but we must acknowledge those who are setting the standard we expect as a Council.”

To become a Poo Bag Partner, email communities@nelincs.gov.uk and for more information on dog fouling, visit https://www.nelincs.gov.uk/keeping-our-area-clean-and-safe/dog-mess/