Cromarty residents take action over dog poo problem
FED-UP residents in a Black Isle community have taken to spraying luminous paint on the streets and pavements in a stand against irresponsible dog owners.
In a highly-visible approach to tackling the growing problem of dog fouling in Cromarty, volunteers are patrolling the streets and public places with coloured spray to highlight the mess.
The aim is to alert people so they can avoid stepping in it and also to demonstrate the scale of the problem.
Jeremy Price, chairman of Cromarty and District Community Council, is among about 10 volunteers who have taken up their cans of spray which is biodegradable and disappears after a week.
"It is a problem for us just as much as any other community in the country," said Mr Price, himself a dog owner.
The extent of the problem had been highlighted after Cromarty Primary School, which is being extended, began using the nearby Links grassed area for a playground. Several parents complained that the children were getting dog mess on their shoes and clothing.
Mr Price pointed out that Highland Council provides the community with free poo bags, which are available at various places in the town, and a team of volunteers regularly empty the special bins. "There really is no excuse for any owner not to have poo bags," he said.
He hoped spraying the dog mess would shock people into thinking about the problem and "nudge" owners into clearing up after their dogs.
The volunteers include Georgia Macleod and her 11-year-old daughter, Caitlin, who sprayed 25 deposits during one 45-minute walk.
"It is something I feel quite strongly about," said Mrs Macleod, of Cromarty Mains. "It is a major problem and I feel it really is escalating.
"A lot of people own dogs in Cromarty and most are responsible. It is just a handful who are spoiling it.
"Cromarty is such a beautiful place and has much going for it. This really spoils it for residents and visitors."
