Our contribution to Keep Britain Tidy -The Great Spring Clean 2023
Did rain stop play?
On 18th March 2023 it was drizzling at 10.30am, however with 11 marvellous volunteers including Cllr Andrew Rule and 2 Lark Hill seniors – 12 volunteers, collected 20 bags!
The areas that were covered included: Lark Hill, Clifton Lane
to Crusader Island, A453 Green Lane Island to Farnborough Rd Island – Rivergreen and Kinsale greens.
Thank you so much to all that participated, for your continued support and dedication in helping to keep the area litter free.
A453 McDonald’s, kindly hosted free refreshments and A453 Tesco Express supplied treats.
It’s great that the local businesses support the volunteers and they also continue to help keep clean, areas around their stores.
Dog Fouling – Did you know?
According to Keep Britain Tidy (KBT): “Dog mess is the most unacceptable and offensive type of litter on our streets. Our research tells us that dog fouling is the issue the public are most concerned about.”
Most of us know there can be very serious health issues if humans come into contact with dog excrement. It can cause toxocariasis and the symptoms include nausea, dizziness, asthma and in some cases blindness and seizures. Most dog owners/walkers are caring, responsible individuals that will clean up after their dog; there are some however, who do not clean up.
When out and about, especially in parks and green areas you may have come across unbagged excrement but also bagged excrement; where a dog walker has taken the time to bag it, but then the bag has been left in a grass verge, under a hedge or hanging up on a tree or bush.
Bagged, unbagged dog waste, is awful to see, very unpleasant to deal with and leaving it in a public place, is against the law.
KBT confirms: “There are an estimated 8 million dogs in the UK producing 1,000 tonnes of mess every day. Anyone who fails to clear up after their dog can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £100. If the case goes to court this could cost the owner or person in charge of the animal up to £1,000. The law states that being unaware a dog has fouled or not having a suitable bag is not a reasonable excuse.”
Maybe there is confusion as to which public bin can be used for bagged dog waste as there are various messages displayed on the bins. To clarify, bagged dog waste can be placed in ANY Nottingham City Council public bin regardless of what is displayed on the bin. Some bins say “Litter” some say “Dog Waste” and others “Litter and Dog Waste”. In future, hopefully, Nottingham City Council will ensure the messaging is consistent on new bins; to state ‘Litter and Dog Waste’.
All dog owners/walkers: Please, do the right thing when out with your dog! Protect the environment, where we live, help prevent the spread of disease and clean up after your dog.
Ensure you carry a spare bag and remember… Any bag – Any bin!
You can report dog fouling on-line Nottingham City Council: Report problems in my Neighbourhood – dog fouling: https://myaccount.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/en/service/Report_It___Report_a_Dog_Fouling
Written by Alma Davies: Nottingham Clean Champions – Clifton East & West Volunteer Coordinator