Irresponsible dog owners not picking up after their pooches on pavements in Tenby, are being highlighted by spray paint.

Mess being left along St John’s Hill and down to The Green is seemingly being sprayed-painted bright blue to highlight dog-fouling and prevent pedestrians stepping in it.

One resident close by, told the Observer on Friday: “I’m curious to find out why dog mess that has not been picked up around The Green and St John’s Hill is being painted blue, very bizarre! 

Mess being left along St John’s Hill and down to The Green is seemingly being sprayed-painted bright blue to highlight dog-fouling and prevent pedestrians stepping in it.
Mess being left along St John’s Hill and down to The Green is seemingly being sprayed-painted bright blue to highlight dog-fouling and prevent pedestrians stepping in it. (Observer pic)

“I noticed them for the first time this morning whilst walking my dog and funnily enough someone had not picked up after their dog outside ours this morning.”

In Pembrokeshire, WISE (Waste Investigations Support & Enforcement) enforcement officers are responsible for catching anyone not picking up after their pet.

A Fixed Penalty Notice for dog fouling stands at £150.

Tenby’s neighbouring village New Hedges, has taken to launch a campaign of their own, with signs dotted around the community stating ‘Thoughtless dog owners we’re watching you’ - 9 out of 10 dog owners clean-up after their dog, Are you the one who doesn’t?’

Tenby’s neighbouring village New Hedges, has taken to launch a campaign of their own, with signs dotted around the community stating ‘Thoughtless dog owners we’re watching you’ - 9 out of 10 dog owners clean-up after their dog, Are you the one who doesn’t?’
Tenby’s neighbouring village New Hedges, has taken to launch a campaign of their own, with signs dotted around the community. (Observer pic)

County councillor for the ward Cllr Rhys Jordan took to social media recently to share: “It’s disappointing to see that dog fouling continues to be an issue in New Hedges.

“Let’s work together to keep New Hedges clean and safe for everyone. I’ll be working closely with St Mary Out Liberty Community Council and Pembrokeshire County Council to tackle this problem.

“Please remember, leaving dog mess behind is not only unpleasant but also illegal. Persistent offenders will be caught and fined. Let’s all do our part to ensure New Hedges stays a dog poo-free zone. Thank you to the many responsible dog owners who are already setting a great example!”

Recently, Carmarthenshire County Council have been sharing public CCTV images on social media to try and track down culprits in towns across the county, a ploy that has seemingly worked.

The Council was looking for help to identify individuals persistently caught failing to clear up their dog’s faeces on the streets of Carmarthen, shortly before Christmas.

Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability said: “We are again asking for help from members of the public to identify individuals captured failing to clean up after their dog.”

Dog poo blue Tenby
One resident close by, told the Observer on Friday: “I’m curious to find out why dog mess that has not been picked up around The Green and St John’s Hill is being painted blue, very bizarre!” (Observer pic)

The Council shared an update on its Facebook page this month, stating: “Thank you to those that have helped us with our investigations. Name has been put forward and the images have now been taken down as our investigation is now closed.”

One council in England has also taken to the spray-painting approach, to start shaming dog owners who do not clear up after their pet.

As well enforcing £100 fines, Telford and Wrekin Council started to spray-paint illegal deposits with a stencilled sign towards the end of last year; after the number of incidents reported to the Local Authority went up by more than a third in a year, rising from from 823 to 1,119.