It is a problem that just keeps popping up – mainly on pavements or, if you’re unlucky, on the sole of your shoe.
Local councillors in Argyll and Bute got so frustrated listening to endless complaints from members of the public about dog fouling that they decided to take “extreme” action.
They ordered their officers to explore the possibility of naming and shaming individuals who are fined for fouling.
But it seems that no such list of irresponsible owners will be published in the area.
Officers will report back to the full council when it meets on Thursday.
In a report before councillors, Allan MacDonald, amenity performance manager, writes: “The legal advice we have received confirms that we cannot name and shame individuals when fixed penalty notices are issued.
“It would only be possible to name individuals in situations where they failed to pay the fixed penalty charge and the person was subsequently convicted of an offence with their personal detail released via media.”
Oban Councillor Roddy McCuish said: “I am extremely disappointed. I fully understand the legal process but until we start naming and shaming, I’m afraid this problem is going to continue.
“We must be careful not to tar everybody with the same brush. There are many responsible dog owners who do pick up after their pets.”
Councillor for Mid Argyll, Sandy Taylor, said: “This is something which is brought up regularly with elected members at community council meetings.
“People in our communities get very frustrated at the failure of some dog owners to pick up their mess.
“We have a very large geographical area which makes it something which is very difficult to police.
“While it is a problem which people are angry about, they are reluctant to provide information about the perpetrators.
“There is a limit to what we can do.
“We had heard about councils in England and Wales which were considering naming and shaming.
“On the face of it these are extreme measures, but it is borne out of frustration that the problem won’t go away.
“We will continue to look at what other councils are doing across the UK to try to tackle it.”
He added: “We would ask dog owners to be prepared when they go out and pick up after their pets.
“If people have a complaint about someone failing to clean up, please tell us where it and happening and when they are doing it.”
The council is in discussion with Keep Scotland Beautiful with a view to running a dog fouling campaign in spring 2017.
