West Lothian vet surgery launches campaign to curb “rapidly increasing” dog poo problem

Westport Vets in Linlithgow has launched a campaign to educate the public about the importance of picking up dog poo.

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Numerous messes were reported near shop fronts and on the pavement outside local schools.

The dog poo problem has stopped residents from enjoying the area's green spaces, due to worries around stepping in something unpleasent.

Westport Vets hopes the campaign will encourage local owners to do their bit and clean up after their pets.

A map has been made on Linlithgow highlighting all waste bins in the area which can be used by the general public for free.

Local businesses have also been offered a supply of poo bags and further bags are available outside the vet practice.

To promote the project, pupils at the local schools were asked to design a poster for the campaign.

Westport Vets hopes the campaign will encourage local owners to do their bit and clean up after their pets.

The winning poster was designed by 11-year-old Low Port Primary School pupil Juliette Yarwood.

Veterinary nurse at the surgery, Carena Schmid said: “The increasing issue of dog mess left in public areas has been particularly apparent over the past year.

“Local residents are finding walks require attention on the pavements and pathways to avoid stepping in dog poo.

“Many of the smaller public pathways are a particular issue as well as complaints from dog mess being left on the High Street, outside local businesses and in the public greens and country park areas.

“Pavements to and from the local primary and secondary schools have also been a particularly problematic area and one which local residents have continued to discuss for several years now.

“It is an issue I have seen rapidly increasing this past year in particular.”

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