A CAMPAIGN to reduce the amount of dog excrement on the streets of Frome is gathering momentum as the council, schools and local businesses and organisations get behind it.
The campaign was launched in May by local resident, Adam Baylis who decided he wanted to make a positive change in his town and tackle the problem of dog litter on the streets. The campaign focuses on education, celebrating good dog owners and making it easy for people to do the right thing.
“I moved to Selwood Road in Frome seven years ago and there has been a consistent problem with dog poo on the pavements,” he said.
“I decided to start the campaign after discovering dog poo directly outside my back gate for the third time. I felt angry and I wanted to write a rude letter and stick it on my gate for people to see. Instead I took one of my children’s drawings and put up a sign saying, ‘Children play here, please pick up your dog’s poo’ and the campaign grew from there.
“Frome does have a problem with dog poo in its streets and public areas. Fortunately, it is only a small minority of dog owners who are causing the problem. When I speak to my neighbours and local organisations, everybody wants to help. Most people are just glad to find something they can do that can make a difference.
“Our campaign began last month and already we’ve been in touch with local schools and the town council and have support from businesses and groups in the town. We’ve already successfully raised enough funding in trinity area to get a new bin provided. We’d like to work with other communities in Frome so they can do the same. We will be putting up posters around the town designed by local schools and producing laminated signs for those who want to put them in their windows or on their fence.
“We will also be speaking to businesses about offering free dog poo bags, and making stickers for wheelie bins which let dog owners know that they can use their bin. We hope that the campaign has a lasting impact on people and they make a conscious effort to pick up after their dog. Our aim is to leave a legacy for years to come.”
To contact Adam about the campaign, email Frome. Dog.Poo.Campaign@ gmail.com.
