Love Where You Live Heckmondwike campaign urges local dog owners to tackle hotspots and keep the town clean, green and proud
Local people in Heckmondwike have spoken out about the problem of dog poo blighting their streets and parks ahead of an activation by Keep Britain Tidy. The Love Where You Live Heckmondwike campaign is calling on dog owners to sign the Poo Promise, a pledge to always pick up after their pets, helping to tackle local hotspots and restore pride in the town.
With one in three residents (35%) saying unbagged dog poo is a problem in their area, and more than a quarter (27%) also concerned about bagged poo being left behind, the scale of the problem is clear. Keep Britain Tidy has identified the town’s hotspots for the issue, which includes places near schools and recreation grounds – where children, families and vulnerable residents should feel safe.
Heckmondwike resident, Sue, said, “I often see dog poo on the Greenway, or just the bags that people have discarded in the hedgerows or on the footpath. It’s SO lazy and unnecessary”. Fellow local, Anna added, “I see it on every walk, unfortunately. There is no excuse to not pick it up, or to pick it up and throw the bag where it does not belong. It’s not only a nuisance, it is a health risk to humans, wildlife and pets”.
Despite being unpleasant and antisocial, myths persist and some believe that leaving dog poo is ok if it’s out of the way of a public path or that it can be good for the ecosystem and that it washes away in the rain. However, the reality is that it lingers, contaminates soil, pollutes waterways and can spread harmful diseases among humans and wildlife.
Every day in the UK, more than 13.5 million dogs produce at least 1,500 tonnes of waste. Left behind, this waste poses real health risks, including toxocariasis, which can cause serious illness and, in rare cases, blindness.
Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Chief Executive at Keep Britain Tidy, said: “Love Where You Live Heckmondwike is about restoring local pride. Together, our small actions can make a big impact. We want everyone to feel proud to live here, and dog owners can play their part simply by picking up after their pets. The message is simple: there’s no excuse for leaving dog poo behind. We want to make Heckmondwike’s streets and green spaces clean, safe and welcoming for everyone. We’re reminding dog owners, there’s no such thing as the poo fairy, and asking them to sign our Poo Promise to pick up after their pups.”
By signing the Poo Promise, dog owners are showing they care about their neighbours, their community and the places everyone in Heckmondwike shares. The promise can be signed online at: keepbritaintidy.org/poopromise