As the snow has melted there has been an increase in the number of dog dirt patches reported all over the ward; Bensham Park, Drinkfield Marsh, Harrowgate Farm, Davison Road, Washbrook Drive and Lowson Street are to name but a few.

 

New and additional dog waste bins have been located at; the end of the path way to Bensham Park, near to the end of Washbrook Drive, in the cut between the far end of Washbrook Drive and Newlyn Drive and on the corner of Lowson Street and Bowman Street - in an effort to aid dog owners with their responsibility in clearing up after their dogs.

 

Is the increase simply as a result of preserved dog mess being uncovered over the period of freezing weather? I’m not sure, either way if owners had cleared up after their dogs, we would not be in the situation we are now with the increase in the number of dog dirt patches reported all over the ward.

 

Darlington Borough Council’s Dog Wardens have been asked to blitz the area and ticket dog owners, on the spot, should they fail to clear up. Responsible dog owners and all residents are asked to report any dog walker who they see not clearing up after their dogs and to take a note of the breed of dog/s, the clothing worn by the owner, the time and date.

 

I’ve also received complaints from residents living on North Road, near to the Coop, with regards to litter. There is a bin outside the shop, provided by the shop and another on the bus stop a little way up north Road.

 

I asked Street Scene if a larger bin could be located in the area as the bins provided at present aren’t sufficient. Uniformed Neighbourhood Warden’s have carried out some monitoring in the area, and have jointly agreed that Street Scene will install a floor mounted litter bin on the pavement near this location which should improve the situation with regards to both the litter and dog foul problems in both the Lowson Street and North Road area.