Concerns over dog fouling as free bag scheme ends

The free bag scheme in Telford and Wrekin has been defunded by the council

Dog fouling will get worse after the scrapping of a free bag scheme, councillors have claimed.

Members of Stirchley and Brookside Parish Council said they had no warning the initiative, run by Telford and Wrekin Council, was ending.

The bags were available at more than 50 places across the borough, including community centres, but the authority said the scheme had been defunded.

A spokesperson said money would be diverted to "support vital council services that benefit the wider community".

Councillor Clare Lloyd, chairman of Stirchley and Brookside Parish Council, said it was unfortunate, adding: "We are expecting to see that it [dog fouling] gets worse."

During a meeting on Tuesday, Councillor Tammy Wood said she used her allowance to buy about 4,000 bags to be given away while the parish council decides whether it wants to provide the free service itself.

"{Dog] poo is a big issue that I get through my inbox," she added.

Members of Stirchley and Brookside Parish Council discussed the issue at a meeting this week

Telford and Wrekin Council said it was the responsibility of pet owners to make sure they clean up after their dogs.

"Money previously spent on dog poo bags will be used to support vital council services that benefit the wider community," the spokesperson said.

"We remain committed to tackling dog fouling and are looking forward to rolling out a new dog campaign in the coming months to promote responsible pet ownership, keep our public spaces clean and raise awareness around responsible dog ownership."

The authority dealt with 1,119 dog fouling incidents in 2023/24 – an increase of 36% on the previous year.

It launched a campaign offering a £50 reward to people who reported dog fouling towards the end of last year.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.