Mystery of spray-painted dog mess

It is not the first time the piles of poo have been marked out using fluorescent paint. Colourful markers began helpfully highlighting the problem last year in and around the twitten between Meadowside and Browns Lane. Now the mystery painter has returned, marking out dozens of circles.

Dog fouling has been a persistent issue at the spot for a number of years, causing a mess and a danger for people living in the area and the many families who use the nearby pre-school and community hall. Signs reminding dog owners that they can be fined for failing to clear up after their pets have apparently had no effect.

One resident said: “I’d love to know who it is who still thinks it’s acceptable to leave their dog’s poo all over the pavements and verges for people to step in and slip on. It’s a sign of intense stupidity.

“The spray painter has done us a favour - I’ve heard mums tells their kids to keep clear of the painted circles, because you can see them even in the dark when you wouldn’t be able to see the poo.”

The idea has already been used elsewhere in the UK. In Aberdeenshire a councillor came up with the idea of spraying piles of poop with pink shiny paint so pedestrians could avoid the smelly mess. She was inspired after hearing that mountain rangers were using the technique to help hillwalkers.