Council chiefs have welcomed a sharp drop in the number of dog fouling incidents reported to the local authority – but question marks have been placed over the figures.
Dog fouling incidents reported to Rossendale council or its dog warden dropped by 79 percent from a high of 190 in 2012 to just 39 in 2015, according to figures we obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.
That’s the equivalent of less than one reported incident of dog fouling per week across the Valley.
Rossendale council say that better signage had helped lead to a drop in the incidence of fouling.
However, Rossendale Civic Pride, which helps maintain public spaces and carries out litter picks in the borough, says the numbers may not fully reflect the whole picture.
Trustee Roger Grimshaw said: “I would say it’s not the problem that it was, but it is still a problem, a serious one.
“I think people haven’t reported the incidents to the council as they don’t feel it achieves a great deal.”
Mr Grimshaw said Civic Pride volunteers frequently find dog mess that has been placed into bags and thrown into the hedgerows, a practice he describes as ‘appalling’.
The worst grot spots in the borough for dog mess have also been revealed, with Burnley Road in Rawtenstall and Blackburn Road and Manchester Road in Haslingden each seeing 10 incidents reported.
A Rossendale council spokesperson said: “The council takes dog fouling very seriously and appreciate that dog fouling is a major concern to many people.
“The council recognises that most dog owners are responsible and clean up after their pets, but a small minority continue to cause problems. Where evidence of this can be proven we will fine those responsible.
“Many residents contact us reporting dog fouling incidents and we are grateful for this and would like to reassure them that we do look into these reports and aim to fine where possible.
“Dog fouling can cause health problems for those who come into contact with it as well as it being generally unsightly for other people in the community.
“We are pleased that there is a drop in incidents and believe that our increased signage and the Councillor Task and Finish group that was set up on this topic has gone some way to achieving this.”
To report dog fouling call the council on 01706 217777 and ask for Operations.
Dog mess incidents reported to Rossendale council 2011-2015:
2011 – 168
2012 – 190
2013 – 65
2014 – 22
2015 – 39
Worst grot spots (reported incidents 2011-2015):
Burnley Road, Rawtenstall; Blackburn Road, Haslingden; Manchester Road, Haslingden – 10
Bacup Road, Rawtenstall; Newchurch Road, Stacksteads, New Line, Bacup – 6
Market Street, Bacup – 5
Adelaide Street Crawshawbooth; Bury Road, Haslingden; Cutler Lane, Stacksteads; Dale Street, Bacup; Fernville Terrace, Stacksteads; Market Street, Whitworth; Burnley Road, Crawshawbooth – all 4
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