More than 150 flags have been placed around a local nature reserve to highlight the problem of irresponsible dog owners who do not clean up after their pets.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) staff at Loch Leven National Nature Reserve took on the glamorous task of flagging up the issue at two main gateways to the reserve.
The initiative was launched following last month’s Jess the Dog radio campaign to encourage responsible dog ownership. A yellow and black flag was placed next to dog mess that was found from Burleigh and Findatie car parks.
In all, 47 flags were used within 50 metres of Findatie car park, with 120 flags being placed within 200 metres of Burleigh car park.
SNH was assisted by the Conservation in Action group of S3 pupils from Kinross High School, and they were all surprised and shocked at how quickly the flags were deployed within such a short distance from a waste bin.
The flags will be left in position for a couple of weeks for members of the public to see, with the hope that people will begin to notice the issue more.
Craig Nisbet, Loch Leven Reserve officer, said: “Both car parks have waste bins, and the majority of dog walkers are responsible for their pets and clean up after them.
“Unfortunately, there are a minority of dog walkers who seem to refuse to take responsibility for their dog’s mess in public areas, and seem content to ruin this special place for other members of the public, whether locals or visitors.
“Nobody likes standing in it, it’s a public health hazard, a threat to livestock, looks untidy and is generally an anti-social and illegal act to leave dog poo in a public place.”
SNH staff encourage anyone in the local area to read the signs positioned before the flags begin, and take note of the two telephone numbers provided.
For more information, or to report an incident of dog fouling or irresponsible dog ownership, please either call Perth and Kinross Council’s dog warden, Kirsteen MacKenzie, on 01738 476476, or Craig Nisbet at the reserve office on 01577 864439.