Two local authorities have joined together to trial a joint initiative targeting dog fouling.

Rushen Commissioners has borrowed a dog bag dispenser until the new year from Braddan Commissioners to assess its effectiveness in encouraging owners to pick up after their dogs in Ballafesson.

So far, so good, the trial appears to have been successful and follows on from Braddan’s own success with signage, bag dispensers and more active discouragement of dog fouling.

Braddan Commissioners’ chairman Andrew Jessop said: ’Certain areas in Braddan were the subject of a lot of complaints.

’Having decided to provide dog bag dispensers in these areas, the response has been remarkable and we now have very few if any complaints about dog fouling in the parish.

’To give an idea of the numbers involved, in 2016, 16,000 dog waste bags were used in six months. The board are pleased to have been able to assist Rushen commissioners and hope that the authorities can work together again in the future.’

The authority in Rushen is finalising consultation on new dog bye laws. They plan to add to the 20 existing dog bins in the parish. If found to be successful, they will also get more dog bag dispensers to be placed strategically around the parish.

Rushen commissioners’ chairman Peter Gunn said: ’Rushen Parish Commissioners recognise and applaud the vast majority of dog owners in the parish and are pleased to work with them to tackle problems with dog fouling.

’Sadly though there remain a few irresponsible owners who don’t clear up after their dogs so the commissioners are going the extra mile to make it easier for owners to clear up the mess.

’If the irresponsible owners persist however, then the commissioners will be more actively looking to take prosecutions against persistent offenders.’

Mr Gunn thanked Braddan Commissioners for this ’excellent collaboration between the two authorities’.