The Friends of the Hook are volunteers that look after the areas of Lady Bay frequented by dog walkers.
Members checked the area ahead of work they’ll be carrying out today, and sprayed the dog poo blue to mark it for volunteers.
A spokesperson said this weekend:
‘The Community Orchard is full of dog mess -it’s in a disgusting state.
‘We have a working party there tomorrow so went to check the orchard as we’ll be on our hands and knees weeding around the fruit trees.
‘We’ve marked the mess to alert our volunteers, many of whom will be children.
‘Thanks to the many dog owners who clear up after their pets and use the dog bins.
‘But to the others – sort this out or go elsewhere! The Hook is a nature reserve, not a dog toilet.’
A Dog Control Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) was introduced in August 2022 by Rushcliffe Borough Council to further tackle irresponsible dog control in Rushcliffe.
Under the powers dog owners must also carry a bag or have other means to pick up dog waste after their pet when taking them for a walk or face a possible £100 fine, if unable to produce one on request.
In the same month, two dog owners faced £100 fines for failing to clean up after their pets at Boundary Road Park in West Bridgford.
Speaking at the time, Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety Cllr Rob Inglis said:
“Irresponsible dog owners who make the choice to put the health of others at risk by not clearing up their dog’s mess will not be tolerated by our patrolling officers in targeted intelligence-led locations that have relevant signs displayed.
“The Dog Fouling Public Space Protection Order rules are really just basic common sense and respect so we should not need to have them in place, but as these two owners have proved, they are needed for safeguarding our children and families.
“The majority of our dog owners have nothing to fear of the new regulations and I thank them for being responsible but for the few who continue to disregard them there are no excuses, so clear up or face coughing up.”
The Friends have carried out incredible work at the site including planting 55 trees this year, you can join them and find out more here: https://www.friendsofthehook.org.uk/
