The Labour group in Caerphilly County Borough has pledged resources to tackle the problem of dog mess if they win control of the council on May 3.
Cllr David Poole, the group’s environment spokesman, said: “Plaid Cymru has failed to tackle this problem
effectively and our pavements, footways and playgrounds are in a disgusting state.
“Welsh Labour is listening to the concerns of local residents and will employ additional wardens to help tackle this problem.”
Labour group leader Harry Andrews added: “We are committed to making our streets and pavements cleaner so if you support our proposals for action to tackle this problem in our communities then please vote for your Welsh Labour candidates on May 3.”
Dog fouling is an often overlooked issue which I'm pleased the Labour group are promising to tackle. People on the doorstep often list this problem as one of the main things they are dissatisfied with. Additional wardens will be music to the ears of many. Too many streets in the borough are filthy and that needs to change for the better.
I must say that the problem of irresponsible dog owners is not top of my list of priorities which Labour must tackle if they are awarded the patronage of the electorate and regain stewardship of Caerphilly council.
And I must say it strikes me as a little disingenuous to make this topic an election priority when we all know that there are very serious and important issues lurking in the background of civic management in Caerphilly council which a Labour administration will have to address, once their honeymoon is over of course.
I agree with Trefor that there are 'bigger fish to fry' than this. I was amazed though to find out, whilst canvassing for the election, that there are actually people that pick up their dog's excrement in a polythene bag and then throw it up into a tree or into the undergrowth.
A voter in Bondfield park told me of this disgusting practise, saying that it is commonplace on the footpaths around the mountain. I looked for myself and it is true; dozens of little bags full of excrement. This is far worse than allowing a dog to foul on the ground and leave it. At least nature can quickly deal with it. Dog mess in a plastic bag can harbour bacteria and parasites for more than two years. Some dog owners need to be educated, the excrement from their pet needs to be disposed of properly. To bag it as a little biological time bomb shows a total lack of regard for others.
I agree, the Labour Party seem to clutching at straws, if dog mess is all they have to worry about it, shows a lack of understanding of the problems in the Borough which the Plaid administration are working hard to overcome.