Bid to beat poo plague

By SHAUN INGUANZO
DOG poo is threatening the health and wellbeing of waterways, children and athletes in Knox.
Knox City Council says an overwhelming demand for control on dog poo was highlighted in the community response to council’s dogsonleads consultation process.
The council has been developing a policy to make all but 38 of its 550 openair reserves mandatory spaces to keep dogs on leads.
But as the Mail reported last week, the byproduct of the consultation period, which ended on 12 August, was an overwhelming response to eradicating the faecal terror.
The council this week released a statement urging residents to pick up their beloved pooches’ excrement as part of a campaign to protect the safety of both the environment and residents.
Knox City Council governance manager Rodney McKail said collecting a pet’s solid waste was part of responsible pet ownership. “To respect all Knox residents, it is important for pet owners to remove and dispose of their dog’s excrement in public areas.”
The council statement says nutrients in dog faeces can be washed into waterways and raise ecoli readings on beaches following rainfall.
Athletes, children and residents with immune deficiencies are also at risk of catching roundworm from the excrement of infected dogs in parks.
Mr McKail said owners could be fined for not picking up their dog’s poo.
“Owners are required to carry an appropriate device when they are walking their dog to collect and remove its excrement.
“You can be fined for not removing your dog’s excrement or not carrying a device to remove it from the ground surface.”
Mr McKail recommended a plastic biodegradable bag be carried when walking a dog to scoop and store the poo for appropriate disposal.