• THE vast majority of Camden dog owners are conscientious about bagging and binning the mess.

But their good efforts are hampered by the failure of the council to empty the dedicated dog waste bins often enough. Residents tell us they also want more action to clamp down on those who refuse to clean up after their pets.

Over the last few weeks we have reported several times that, for example, the bin on Fitzjohns Avenue, at the corner of Nutley Terrace, is full.

As a result, plastic bags are stacked on top of the bin and dumped alongside it. As the council’s own website warns “dog mess can carry a parasite called toxocara which can lead to infection. At its worst this infection can cause blindness”.

The council needs to look again at the problem. Free biodegradable “poop scoop bags” are a start (in theory they are available from the council), but offering residents cans of pink chalk spray so they can highlight dog mess on the pavement feels like a gimmick unless accompanied by serious action.

How often is the £80 fine for irresponsible dog owners who don’t clean up actually imposed? Camden only has 52 dog waste bins. With an estimated 24 per cent of households owning a dog, there could be over 23,000 dogs in Camden. We need more dog waste bins, emptied more often.

HENRY NEWMAN,
ANDREW PARKINSON,
GIO SPINELLA,
SIOBHAN BAILLIE
Frognal & Fitzjohns Conservatives