Dog poo litter up 200% since lockdown

WALKING the dog has become one of the few opportunities to get outside for some fresh air during lockdown, but it has come at a stinking, germ ridden cost. A rubbish collection company says that dog poo litter is up 200%, a clear indicator that not all dog owners are cleaning up after their pups. Just as bad are those who bag the poo, and then dump the bag in the street or up a tree. Divert.co.uk who provide dog poo litter removal for Councils and private landowners are alarmed by this increase and the implications this could have for public health and are calling on irresponsible owners to pick up after their dogs.

Divert.co.uk spokesperson Mark Hall said:- "It is disgusting to see that some dog owners are failing to pick up after their pets, when it's an offence and the waste can lead to serious illnesses. There is more poo than people on the streets of the UK right now."

With Lockdown 3 in full swing, current England guidelines allow for people to walk their dog alone, with their households or support bubbles, or while exercising with one person from another household.

Hall commented that:- "Walking your dog is important for both pet and owner for exercise, especially while we are all house-bound during the lockdown. Unfortunately, thanks to the thoughtless behaviour by a few individuals, dog owners are once again getting a bad reputation due to a massive increase in dog mess on the streets."

Divert.co.uk believe that due to fewer people being out and about, irresponsible dog owners believe they are less likely to get caught, so are more like to leave the poo and run. Thankfully, not all dog owners will leave poo on the pavement, as waste campaigners Keep Britain Tidy, who have run high profile campaigns such as the:- 'dog poo fairy,' have found that 9 out of 10 dog owners do regularly clean up after their dog. The 10% who do not clean up after their dog could be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to ₤100 for failing to pick up their dog's waste, which could go up to ₤1,000 if the issue goes to Court.

Hull says that:- "There really is no excuse for this behaviour, especially as the waste can be put into any public bin. It's lockdown laziness, especially those guys who bag the mess, then don't bin the bag. Get a grip!"

Not only is dog poo on the streets unsightly, but it could also be hazardous for you and your family's health. In extreme circumstances, contact with dog poo can cause toxocariasis, an infection which can lead to:- dizziness, nausea, asthma, and in worse case scenarios, blindness, or seizures. And even more unfortunately, it's often children who are the poor victims of falling into dog poo and putting themselves at risk of catching a nasty infection. 1 girl, aged 5, was traumatised and physically sick after falling face 1st into dog poo, at a Halifax park, which was poorly disguised under a pile of leaves.

Emelia was walking home from School when she fell, and her Mum is now calling for dog owners in the area to be more responsible, especially on busy routes around the School where children are more likely to fall into it.

Likewise, an 18 month old ended up with a:- 'face full of' dog poo while out on a daily walk with his mother in a pack in Ascot, and just after the 1st national lockdown, one Scottish family had a close call as their 11 month old picked up and ate dog poo in a local picnic area. Hall:- "We understand, it's cold and we've had some snow recently, but thinking it's quiet enough to get away with leaving it is no excuse not to pick up after your dog. The snow will eventually melt away, but your dog's frozen turd will still be there for some poor bugger to step in."
 

Southport retirement community completes 1st round of Covid vaccines

ALL homeowners and team members at The Sailings on Alexandra Road have received their 1st dose of the Coronavirus vaccine. Adlington Retirement Living, which owns the developments, has on site management teams who have helped homeowners to book their individual appointments.

Alexandra Johnson, Sales and Marketing Director for Adlington Retirement Living, said:- "It's been a tough year for everybody but successfully providing our homeowners with the 1st vaccine against Coronavirus has given us all a lot of hope. Our on site teams always look for ways to support our Homeowners' happiness and well being and they've really gone the extra mile over the past 12 months and shown their team spirit. Each time our restaurants have had to temporarily close during the lockdowns, our catering teams have offered the same high standard of freshly prepared, delicious lunchtime meals and delivered them directly to our Homeowners' front doors, always maintaining social distancing and sanitising trays between deliveries. Our team members have been shopping and collected prescriptions for our Homeowners and we created:- 'pop up shops' at each development to provide a safe and easy way to pick up everyday essentials."

The Sailings offers a selection of 55 beautiful, privately owned retirement apartments, in a safe and secure environment. Homeowners can enjoy the privacy of their own peaceful and spacious apartment and spend time in the leafy gardens, which are maintained by an expert team of gardeners.

Edna, 84, who lives at The Sailings, Adlington Retirement Living Communities, said:- "It's nice to have the gardens and the outdoor space here where I can go for some fresh air and exercise without worrying about bumping into people. Moving to the Sailings has been very good for me. I'm very happy."