A new dog user group has been formed in Burnham-On-Sea this week to tackle the problem of dog waste being left on Burnham-On-Sea’s beaches.
Fifteen people attended a meeting at the Reed’s Arms on Tuesday evening (June 7th) organised by Litter Free Coast and Sea Somerset – a local campaign working to improve bathing water quality and reduce marine and beach litter in Burnham.
It comes after Burnham’s sea water was recently deemed to be “poor” by new EU bathing water standards, prompting a bathing ban in Burnham.
Harriet Yates-Smith, Burnham’s Coastal Officer and co-ordinator of Litter Free Coast & Sea Somerset, pictured right with Burnham sea water campaigner Ken Smout, said: “We had a good mixture of 15 attendees, not all of whom are dog owners but still wanted to have their say.”
“The locals talked about their frustrations regarding the problem of beach dog fouling and how it could be addressed.”
“We are starting a new community dog group and will be giving out bags to dog walkers and seeking better signage initially. We are keen to have a visual presence on the beach.”
Dr Ann Parry from Bridge Vets in Highbridge, who is supporting the campaign, was also there to help raise awareness about the health hazards of not picking up dog waste.
And Helen Freeman from a similar Dorset project also attended the meeting to explain how she has delivered real improvements in her area which could be replicated here.
Ken Smout, a long-time Burnham campaigner on beach water quality, added: “It was a really positive meeting – there was plenty of passion shown to address the problem. Everyone can get involved – it’s just not acceptable any more to let dogs foul beaches.”
