Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell has backed a community council’s call for urgent action to clean up Moffat’s dog mess.
He has joined local councillor for the Annandale North ward Graeme Tait as part of a campaign to tackle growing concerns about dog fouling in the town.
Following complaints raised by local residents the MP is calling on the council to put better signs in place to discourage people from letting their dogs foul in the Eastgate area of the town.
Mr Mundell is concerned that a few rogue owners are giving the town’s dog walkers a bad name.
The MP recognises the concern and frustration of the local residents affected. Whilst on the by-election trail recently in Eastleigh he was impressed by the prominent signage which asked local people to report offenders to a special hotline. Locally some irate Moffat residents have even put up their own impromptu signs asking dog owners to clean up when walking their dogs.
Mr Mundell said: “This issue is not a joke. Local residents have to deal with this unwanted problem every day, and all because a few dog owners refuse to take responsibility for cleaning up behind their pets.
“In these difficult economic times we cannot expect the local council to be on call 24 hours a day with a poop scoop, but I do think they need to improve signs and monitor the situation,” he added.