Douglas Borough Council’s borough warden team is supporting Scoill Vallajeelt in a bid to combat increasing incidences of dog fouling outside the school.
Pavements, footpaths and the grass verges immediately in front of the school have been affected. Headteacher Denise Lyon said: ‘Our school community have noticed when walking to and from school and also playing in the local area, that not all dog owners clean up the dog mess and use the bins provided. It is unsightly, unpleasant and antisocial and causes a problem if it gets tracked into the building. It can also cause serious illnesses. I would like to ask dog owners to “bag it and bin it” and be environmentally responsible.’
Environmental services committee chairman Ritchie McNicholl said: ‘Some less than responsible dog owners are persistently allowing their dogs to foul right outside the school and then fail to remove the faeces. Our borough wardens have visited the area on numerous occasions and put out “Clean It Up” stickers to remind owners that it is an offence not to pick up after their dogs but despite their best efforts, and those of our waste services team, the problem persists.
‘Not only is this practice deeply unpleasant and antisocial but it is also a serious health hazard, especially in an area regularly used by large numbers of young children. It is, of course, not just Scoill Vallajeelt that’s affected by dog fouling - regrettably such incidences blight the whole island – but this particular school is suffering greatly and our borough warden team will be vigilant in their monitoring of the area and will not hesitate to issue fixed-penalty notices to those they witness offending.’
Council leader David Christian said: ‘As both leader of the council and a councillor representing Hills ward I see this is as a serious community problem that demands a community response. I appeal to anyone who sees owners failing to pick up anywhere on the estate not to hesitate to bring the culprits to the council’s attention, in person, by telephone or by reporting the incident on the ‘Report It’ section of douglas.im, the council’s website, and to be willing to support their account with a statement if necessary.’
