19/5/2008City holds pet shows top end mess from dog dirt
GLASGOW'S campaign to clean up the streets is turning its attention on a new target … dog dirt.
The city council's Clean Glasgow campaign, which is supported by the Evening Times, wants irresponsible dog owners to stop allowing their pets to blight communities with their mess.
People who do not clean up after their pets currently face a £40 fine if caught.
But in some areas the prospect of a fine does little to deter pet owners.
So now bosses want to drive home the message that the problem needs to be tackled.
This summer they will raise awareness of the issue at a series of events billed as Glasgow's answer to Crufts.
It is hoped the fun-filled dog shows will attract hundreds of people to join the campaign and help educate owners.
Councillor Ruth Simpson, executive member for land and environment services, said: "Dog dirt poses a huge risk to the health and safety of people using parks, so we need to tackle this problem.
"I am delighted so many community groups are getting involved in our campaign to change the behaviour of irresponsible dog owners."
Eilidh Milne, from Clean Glasgow's Environment Community Action Team, said it was vital communities got together to keep their local area clean.
She added: "The dog shows are a great way to engage with the community and will play an important part towards tackling the problem of dog fouling.
"We are determined to work together to clean up Glasgow's streets and parks.
"We want to make sure they are safe and clean for the summer months and the dog shows will help to ensure we get our message out to the public that they have a responsibility to clean up after their animals."
The dates of the shows, all on Saturdays and which are supported by animal welfare charity Dogs Trust, are:
May 31, in Jordan Street park, Whiteinch.
July 26, Elder Park, Govan.
August 2, Alexandra Park, Dennistoun
August 30, Glenconner Park, Royston.
The city's overall winner will be crowned at a grand final later in the year.
Kathleen Harvey, one of the organisers of the Whiteinch show, said: "We are delighted to be the first group to kick-start the dog shows.
"The support we have received from dog owners in Whiteinch has been very positive.
"This is a great chance for us to host a fun day out for the whole community.
"It will also allow us to raise awareness about the need for dog owners to take responsibility for their animals and make sure they clean up after them."
For more information on the Clean Glasgow campaign log on to: http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/Clean
Glasgow/index.htm
The city council's Clean Glasgow campaign, which is supported by the Evening Times, wants irresponsible dog owners to stop allowing their pets to blight communities with their mess.
People who do not clean up after their pets currently face a £40 fine if caught.
But in some areas the prospect of a fine does little to deter pet owners.
So now bosses want to drive home the message that the problem needs to be tackled.
This summer they will raise awareness of the issue at a series of events billed as Glasgow's answer to Crufts.
It is hoped the fun-filled dog shows will attract hundreds of people to join the campaign and help educate owners.
Councillor Ruth Simpson, executive member for land and environment services, said: "Dog dirt poses a huge risk to the health and safety of people using parks, so we need to tackle this problem.
"I am delighted so many community groups are getting involved in our campaign to change the behaviour of irresponsible dog owners."
Eilidh Milne, from Clean Glasgow's Environment Community Action Team, said it was vital communities got together to keep their local area clean.
She added: "The dog shows are a great way to engage with the community and will play an important part towards tackling the problem of dog fouling.
"We are determined to work together to clean up Glasgow's streets and parks.
"We want to make sure they are safe and clean for the summer months and the dog shows will help to ensure we get our message out to the public that they have a responsibility to clean up after their animals."
The dates of the shows, all on Saturdays and which are supported by animal welfare charity Dogs Trust, are:
May 31, in Jordan Street park, Whiteinch.
July 26, Elder Park, Govan.
August 2, Alexandra Park, Dennistoun
August 30, Glenconner Park, Royston.
The city's overall winner will be crowned at a grand final later in the year.
Kathleen Harvey, one of the organisers of the Whiteinch show, said: "We are delighted to be the first group to kick-start the dog shows.
"The support we have received from dog owners in Whiteinch has been very positive.
"This is a great chance for us to host a fun day out for the whole community.
"It will also allow us to raise awareness about the need for dog owners to take responsibility for their animals and make sure they clean up after them."
For more information on the Clean Glasgow campaign log on to: http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/Clean
Glasgow/index.htm