Don't Dump The Dog Dirt - Skegness Seafront

I went down to North parade extension this morning to meet up with Stefan Krause, the Town Centre Manager, Paul Marshall of Coastal Access For All, of which I am also a member, and a fantastic bunch of fellas from the HOPE Volunteer Group, who were undertaking a clean-up of the area, to discuss the growing problem of Dog Dirt being left around in the area.

Some of the areas on the walks up on the seafront can only be described as disgusting, with some of the pathways littered with Dog Dirt. Why is this? I ask the question because there is really no need for this to be the case. Why are people taking their dogs out for a walk, knowing that they will do their business, and then ignoring the mess that is being left behind, mess that is not only an unsightly nuisance but is actually a health hazard?

I apologise to all you responsible dog owners out there, but I have to say the answer is a total lack of responsibility on the part of a proportion of our dog owners. Sorry to be so blunt but there is actually no other reason that I can think of.

Much discussion was had this morning about how this can be resolved. Enforcement was discussed, more dog dirt bins, banning dog owners from the seafront and other ideas. All worthy thoughts, but if they were implemented would they make a difference? Do our dog owning community really want to have an Enforcement Officer out and about trying to catch the culprits? Do they really want access to the seafront area taken away or further restrictions in place? I am sure the answer is no!! Why would you want that? As for more dog dirt bins. Well, from what I saw this morning they would make no difference. Why do I say that? Simply because there was dog dirt left on the ground within a few feet of the existing bins, all of which were virtually empty.

So come on dog owners, whether residents of Skegness or visitors. Hear this plea. Please be more responsible. Take some plastic bags with you and clean up after you beloved family pet. Then put the used bag in a bin. Doesn't have to be a special dog dirt bin any bin will do. You would be amazed at how many plastic bags containing dog dirt were found having been thrown away. What good is that? Cleaning up after your dog and then throwing the bag containing the offending material on the floor!

Please think of the community as a whole and do the right thing. Don't get your dog a bad name because it is not the fault of the animal is it?

CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR DOG

Thank you.