Pool parish councillor gives backing to Otley mum's dog clean up campaign (From Wharfedale Observer)

Pool parish councillor gives backing to Otley mum's dog clean up campaign

9:54am Thursday 4th February 2010

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A NEW campaign to clean the streets of Otley of dog mess is winning support in the town and further afield.

Mother-of-two Sara Quin launched her Muck: up! campaign last week after becoming increasingly appaled by the state of many streets around Otley, especially near her home on the Cambridge estate.

Now, as the initiative launches a design-a-poster competition for children, residents and sports enthusiasts in Pool-in-Wharfedale are hoping it will help improve conditions near their homes, too.

Bernard Mitchinson, of Park Court, Pool summed up the situation in the latest edition of the free newsletter he produces, Pool E-News. He said: “Residents remain disgusted and concerned by the behaviour of some dog owners and their defecating pets.

“On Millcroft, dog droppings are commonplace and children are taking the filth on their shoes into school and homes, at Pool C of E Primary School people are letting their dogs run and foul freely. And on the school football pitch, last week every post around the football pitch was fouled by dogs and there was more close to the adventure playground.

“Our footballers suffer a similar fate and are required to clean their pitches before playing every game.”

Pool Parish Council chairman Councillor Hazel Lee, has been fielding complaints about the issue and believes a hard line has to be taken.

She said: “The parish council has been looking into this because we have had several complaints and phone calls about it recently.

“I’ve been told that the sports pitches are in an appaling state because of it – and I understand that at the weekend a girls’ football match had to be stopped because it was so bad.

“I think the Otley campaign is a good idea and would welcome it widening its net to include us, too.

“I think more notices to make people aware of their responsibilities would help, as would the dog warden coming out a bit more often and, if needs be, prosecuting some of those who are behind this.

“It’s just one or two people who aren’t cleaning up after their dogs but it only takes a few to keep doing it and it becomes a real problem.

“We provide dog bins in Pool which cost a lot of money to empty, and people can also put dog muck in other bins now as long as it is bagged up.”

Sara, who has seen support come flooding in from everyone from local schools to police officers and was invited to speak at Otley Town Partnership’s meeting this week, said she was now determined to also turn the campaign's awareness-raising spotlight on Pool.

She said: “I was in two minds (when writing to the Otley schools) about whether to contact Pool C of E Primary School, but after hearing this I have written to the acting headteacher and invited them to join in too.!

A quick look at the campaign website shows that the scheme is already being backed by many in the community, including: Otley RUFC, Otley Junior Athletics Club, Otley All Saints C of E and Farnley C of E Primary Schools, health visitors at Otley Clinic, Leeds City Council’s dog warden and parks and countryside departments, Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland and Councillor Ryk Downes (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon).

Grandmother Margaret Hindle also contacted the Wharfedale Observer to express her thanks, via this newspaper, to Sara and the campaign. She said: “Well done Sara! I was wondering who to contact after taking my two young grandchildren into Wharfemead-ows Park to feed the ducks and play on the swings.

“I was horrified to see dog mess actually under the swings in the playground as well as on the paths. I noticed most owners of small dogs had them on a lead but many dogs, often large dogs, were allowed to run free despite all efforts by the council, ie with notices, to prevent this.

“Perhaps the police community support officers could add this enforcement to their duties on patrol?”

For the latest updates on the campaign, whose motto is “Don’t muck up Otley, clear your dog’s muck up!”, or to find out how to get involved visit www.muckup.org.uk.

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