A CAMPAIGN to encourage dog owners to clean up after their pets has been rolled out to Ross-on-Wye.

‘The Bag it, bin it’ campaign, coordinated by Herefordshire Council with its community partners, aims to tackle the problem of dog mess in the county.

The campaign was launched in Hereford and is now being brought to the market towns, beginning this week in Ross-on-Wye.

Brand new campaign signage to encourage owners to clean up after their dogs was unveiled outside Market House in the centre of Ross on July 11 at 2pm.

Councillor Barry Durkin, cabinet member for transport and regulatory services, said he was immensely pleased with the rollout of the scheme.

He said: “We hope this launch continues the council’s initiative to encourage responsible dog ownership across Herefordshire.

“We believe that this initiative will help to promote our new online link which allows members of the public to report dog fouling via our website.

“With those spotting dog fouling and providing as much detail as possible our Enforcement officers can target the appropriate areas, and keep Herefordshire clean, tidy and beautiful.”

Representatives of Herefordshire Council unveiled Ross-on-Wye’s new signage, alongside partners from West Mercia Police, Ross Town Council, Ross Community Clean Up Crew, Vinetree vets, and Jill Scammell, to mark the expansion of the campaign, with the aim of encouraging owners to pick up after their dogs.

A new public space protection order for dog control came into effect in March 2018. People can now report dog mess themselves via the Herefordshire Council website.

By providing as much information as possible, this will help us focus Enforcement appropriately, targeting problem areas.

Council enforcement officers will travel to locations throughout the county acting against the minority of dog owners who do not keep their dogs under control or clean up after their pets.

Coun Durkin also visited Holmer School, whose pupils took part in a competition to provide the illustrations featured on the new signage.

The school was asked by Holmer Parish council, following widespread problems with dog fouling, to design some signs for their local area.

The winning illustrations, designed by Kaja Hilsden and Mason Stephens, were selected by the parish council. It was then decided that the designs were so good, they deserved to be featured on official signage.

Coun Barry Durkin and fellow councillor Polly Andrews attended the school to congratulate the staff and pupils on running such a great competition.

He said: “On behalf of Herefordshire Council, I would like to thank the staff and pupils of Holmer School for taking part in the competition to design our brand new signage.

“They did a fantastic job and the illustrations by Kaja and Mason are a wonderful visual way to encourage responsible dog ownership.”