YOUNG crime scene investigators put the menace of dog fouling under the microscope

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council campaign

YOUNG crime scene investigators are to put the menace of dog fouling under the microscope next week - as a major crackdown on the problem gets under way. Great initiative is being launched by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council warning dog owners to clean up after their pets and urging residents to dish the dirt on serial offenders in East Cleveland. This new campaign starts with pupils at Lockwood Primary School, in Boosbeck, donning CSI-style white suits on Monday, July 5, in a display designed to highlight the fact that dog fouling is a crime. The village of Boosbeck is one of the worst hotspots in the Borough for dog fouling, and the event aims to get the scale of the problem across to local residents and show what they can do to prevent it. Bags allowing residents and visitors to safely dispose of dog mess will be available in local libraries, campaign posters will be distributed throughout the East Cleveland area. Following the East Cleveland launch, the campaign will be extended to cover the whole borough. Councillor Dave McLuckie, Cabinet Member for Community Protection, said: "Dog fouling is one of the most serious environmental crimes we have to deal with. Irresponsible and selfish dog owners cause mess and misery for everyone else. They ruin our enjoyment of parks and play areas and spoil the streets of our villages and towns. They also pose a serious risk to the health of our children. We believe that there are no excuses for not cleaning up after your dog, and we will do everything in our power to crack down on this issue." There is also an interesting website with further information: www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/dogfouling