Seven new dog poo bag dispensers have been installed across Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge by the Town Council in a bid to reduce fouling of pavements.
The initiative has been inspired by 10 year-old schoolgirl Ivy Meager, who installed her own home-made bag dispensers along footpaths in Burnham, as first reported by Burnham-On-Sea.com in January.
When several of her dispensers were damaged by mean vandals in March, the council and seafront hotel Royal Clarence offered to help.
Locations of seven new poo bag dispensers:
Now, seven permanent dog poo bag dispensers have been installed by the Town Council at these locations:
1. Burnham High Street – On post next to fountain
2. Burnham High Street/Victoria Street – On Raised flower bed by bike rack opposite Victoria Pub
3. Burnham’s South Esplanade on Post by floodgate as you enter river footpath
4. Highbridge’s Bank Street/ Southwell Gardens – on post as you walk into park by St John Ambulance building
5. Highbridge’s Apex Park – next to dog waste bin Parson Road entrance
6. Burnham’s Manor Gardens – Main vehicle entrance from Manor Road on post
7. Burnham’s Rear Path Manor Gardens past Cemetery – Next to dog bin accessed via path from St Johns Road.
Town Council Clerk Sam Winter told Burnham-On-Sea.com this week: “The Council, inspired by 10 year-old Ivy Meager’s installation of homemade dog poo bag dispensers, agreed to trial dispensers across Burnham and Highbridge with the aim of promoting cleaner, safer streets.”
“The law states that being unaware a dog has fouled or not having a suitable bag is not a reasonable excuse.”
“The Council hopes that the dispensers will serve to remind dog owners of the necessity to pick up after their dogs, and assist those who find they have no bags with them. The bags can be deposited in any of the public litter bins throughout the towns.”
“Anyone who fails to clear up after their dog can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £100. If the case goes to court this could cost the owner or person in charge of the animal up to £1,000.”
Two of the seven dispensers have been kindly donated by the Royal Clarence Hotel, whose manager Paul Chatwin is pictured below with young Ivy.
