Pick Up Their Poop - Survey Results

Our Pick Up Their Poop survey saw responses from a massive 113 people and the results are very interesting!

53.6% of those surveyed state that dog fouling in their area is a slight problem.

85.6% of those surveyed state that they do pick up their dogs poo.

84 people stated that their area required more dog poo bins and that the frequency of them being emptied needed to be increased.

Comments received from the survey:

• Fines don't work as not enforced. More education needed about the problems it causes
• It’s horrid!!
• My local park provides lots of poop bins and free poop bags and STILL people leave it on the ground. I have offered my own bags out to people when they appear not to have any or look like they are not going to pick up after their dog.
• I don't know how to get the message across to the people who don't pick up after their dogs. I live in a middle-class area where I'd expect people to be really conscientious about it, but there are loads of people who leave it on the streets and on the park. One person (I don't know who), regularly lets their dog poo on the edge of my driveway, and I find this particularly offensive as I always pick up after my dogs! I should also say that the Dicky Bag is one of the best inventions ever for dog owners as it enables you to carry the poo with you easily, until you find a bin.
• I don't think that there is any need for people to leave their dog’s poo; it doesn’t take a moment to pick it up and bin it. Its common courtesy to others.
• Can be missed when dog is off lead
• I get VERY angry at how thoughtless humans can be.
• Picking up dog mess is part of having a dog; if you don't want to do it, don't get a dog! It's not that bad when you get used to it, much like changing a baby's nappy, you do it because you love them.
• Be responsible other people would like clean paths/walks etc
• Clean up after your flippin' dog!
• Not enough bins around in some areas, like when I go to Mum's at Castle Vale.
• The Government should bring back dog licences so the money could pay for the services necessary to clean up after their dogs!
• It is difficult when a 2 poo walk has 3 poo's. Ability to get extra bags on the move would be useful
• We live in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and attract lots of visitors and their dogs. I run the local magazine for North Norfolk and would consider running an information campaign
• More dog/street wardens and bins would help the problem
• It is very irritating and councils are useless at enforcing the law, it has to be responsible dog walkers who make the difference.
• If you bag the dog waste, put it in the bin! I'm fed up of seeing bagged waste dumped in hedges or at the side of paths.
• Many dogs in our area are never on the lead, and they come into our property and foul, which is awful. So I wish people would control where their dogs go and pick up after them.
• I always assume most people who don't pick up are just lazy and can't be bothered. However I discovered a dog walking neighbour I know well won't pick up because she says it's not environmentally friendly to put poo in bags which go into landfill. If there was information available about how dog poo is disposed of (incineration?) and where to get bio-degradable bags it would be useful. The meadow by Misty Meadows is particularly bad and lazy dog owners leave dog poo on the cycle/foot path which is an annoyance for everyone who uses that path daily.
• Yes it stinks really badly
• Not many bins at all in our area. Have mentioned this to the relevant authorities, but nothing has been done to date.
• In general I think most responsible dog owners pick up their dogs poo, however, you always get some owners who are not so responsible.
• Keen to see it as socially unacceptable as not recycling your bottles
• I think that people who do not pick it up should be finned as they area lazy and selfish.
• The bags used now create a worse situation for wildlife and the countryside in general than the poop itself.
• It gives responsible dog owners a bad name. A park in my area has banned dogs from part of the park for this reason Better enforcement is needed.
• It's foul. If people want to have dogs, they should take responsibility for them. Picking up poo is part of this responsibility.
• It makes me angry
• I walk my area twice a day and the dog fouling seems be left without others noticing. I cannot see how it can ever be policed sufficiently to ensure all dog owners clear up after their own dogs.
• The fine has to be enforced
• Personally no as we are responsible. Too many around here do not care. Why do people who bag up dog poo leave their bags by the path or hanging in the bushes? Too many owners let their dogs off their leads which then poo any where without the owners being aware, or care.
• I am a professional dog walker and have noticed that people don’t pick it up when it snows and after a thaw the paths are covered. Everyday the same people walk the same route and leave the poo's in the same places everyday. I clean up after all the dogs I walk and after the dogs that foul outside my gate. I think it is disgusting and no amount of posters or signs will make these people clean up their mess!!
• Yes as it is a danger to the community if not picked up
• More bins needed so people don’t have to carry the poo around. Also would be easier to enforce if a bin was in sight and someone didn’t pick up after their dog. No excuse then.
• I think the dog wardens should be more visible
• People who don't pick up are the same people who drop litter and are generally anti-social anyway. I believe it's a wider problem and nothing to do with being a dog owner per se.
• Not even is done bout those who don't pick up!
• It’s an owners responsibilities - no excuse if found on paths or parks open for family use - woodland areas/fields ok - if out in the bush not on walkways
• It's disgusting
• It amazes me how many owners don't pick up after their dog/s
• There is no reason not to pick it up
• IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG YOU SHOULD NOT OWN ONE.OUR LOCAL COUNCIL IS ABOUT TO START A CAMPAIGN ABOUT DOG FOULING
• If you are man (or woman) enough to own a dog you should 'man up' and pick up the poop!
• I do my best but have been caught short once or twice when my dog pooed so much I ran out of bags. My problem I know - now take more bags with me than I could ever need!!!
• It's disgusting and it never ceases to amaze me how some people really don't see the problem with it, surely if you own a dog then it’s your legal and moral responsibility to clear up after your dog.
• Everyone should pick up if the mess is likely to come in contact with feet, dog’s humans or otherwise.
• Non-poop pickers give us responsible owners a bad name.
• It smells and is disgraceful when people leave it...
• I think it takes the biscuit when someone allows their dog to foul right underneath the poo bin and still not pick it up!!! I saw this today.
• It's sh#t, sorry couldn't resist :-) It's just part of the bigger problem of people nit caring for anything or anyone but themselves.
• It's a health hazard for some and not at all nice for children stepping in it and bringing it home! Can't understand why some just dump the filled bags in the nearest alleyway or corner either! Just as easy to take it home or find the nearest bin.
• I THINK IT SHOULD BE AN OFFENCE AND SHOULD BE POLICED AS SUCH
• More people are out running and fail to stop when their dog does
• I feel if more bins were available throughout built up areas people would be more encouraged to pick it up
• There are public areas where dog fouling should not happen or if it does should be cleared up instantly without hesitation. Always carry a dog poo bag when walking your dogs.
• Picking up dog mess is part of responsible dog ownership. Until we have responsible dog owners, we will have this problem
• My only objection is that I end up carrying bags of poop on walks as there are never enough bins to dispose of it in!
• If you have a dog you must take responsibility and clean up after your dog! It’s disgraceful
• It is the responsibility of owners to clear up mess by dogs
• There should be tougher action took against people that don’t pick up after their dog, if they're not doing something as little as that then what else aren’t they doing for their dog? They're not responsible dog owners & therefore shouldn't own a dog.
• I don't know if it is the case in most places but the ones that seem to be left in our village are obviously from big dogs, it shouldn't make a difference, poo bags should hold anything any size can produce.
• We are lucky to have miles of public footpaths through farmland where we live - why oh who do people bag up their dog's poo then leave the bag behind all neatly tied up - grrr that irks me!!
• I think something should be done, on the spot fines would help maybe

As a result of the survey we are working with Cambridgeshire communities to identify where dog poo bins are needed and helping them to contact the right people (District/Town councils / landowners) to rectify the problem. Big Walkies are pleased to see that the majority of dog owners are responsible, do want to pick up their dogs poop and want tougher punishment for those who don’t.

If you have a poop problem in your town/village, please do not hesitate to contact us.