People across North Somerset are being urged to take their dog’s mess home with them in a bid to help ease pressure on communal disposal bins.
North Somerset Council has confirmed its contractor Glendale will continue to empty its 50 plus bins across the district as normal during the coronavirus lockdown subject to sufficient staff being available.
But the authority is appealing for the public to do its bit by taking their pets’ mess home with them and disposing of it in the household rubbish.
With the UK under lockdown people will be using their one outing a day to walk their pets.
Council spokesman Richard Turner said: “We are continuing to empty the dog bins we are responsible for depending on the staff available.
“We are also asking residents to assist us in taking their dog mess home with them where possible and disposing of it.
"This will help reduce workload and enable staff to concentrate on front line services."
Many town and parish councils were left to find their own arrangements to empty bins after North Somerset Council stopped providing the service several years ago to save costs.
Weston Town Council said it was also emptying the bins as normal.
The council has its own in house environmental services contractors to empty its 45 dog poo bins across the resort.
The move followed complaints about dog bins not being emptied properly forcing the council to take the matter in house.
Clevedon Town Council is also appealing to pet owners to help out during the coronavirus outbreak.
A spokesman for Clevedon Town Council said: “The council has been advised that the dog bin contractor will continue to empty those bins managed by the town council while it is still able to so.
“Both the council and dog bin contractor are seeking and adhering to the guidance and more importantly the rules that are being given by central government in order to save lives.
“The council therefore asks that everyone takes responsibility of their dog waste and to take the waste home in the first instance.
“This will alleviate the pressure on the bins located around the town and will not create a full and overflowing situation which will only add to greater stress on the system.”
South Gloucestershire Council said it was still emptying dog bins as normal.
A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said: “We are still emptying all of our dog waste and litter bins but this may be at a reduced frequency in the current circumstances.
"If members of the public spot a problem with a bin, then we ask them to report it 01454 868000 or www.southglos.gov.uk/reportit. "
Dog owners can be fined up to £80 for not picking up after their pets. Those who don't pay the fine you could then be taken to court and fined up to £1,000
