Unsightly, unbelievably smelly and a major inconvenience, it is never a good experience. However Moira Shire Council have come to the rescue.
Cobram’s Tony Fraser is delighted to see his neighbourhood reaping the rewards of supplied dog refuse bags.
‘‘It’s great someone took the initiative to encourage other people to clean up their dog’s mess; we were getting sick of people letting their dogs make a mess on our front yard,’’ he said.
The walking track running alongside the Murray River next to G.J. Kennedy Park is a popular spot for those walking alone or with a furry friend.
Mr Fraser said dogs and their owners frequented the river walk all day every day, morning, noon and night, which was wonderful as long as they cleaned up their dog’s mess.
A resident of the area for more than 30 years, Mr Fraser was concerned with the health of anyone using the area because of the issue.
‘‘I have a three-year-old and a five-year-old and they love to run down to the beach. If someone’s dog has made a mess and the boys don’t see it, as has happened in the past, the boys end up wearing the results of someone else’s irresponsibility,’’ he said.
The bag dispenser is hard to miss, being bright green, and while one might regard them as an easy target for vandals, Mr Fraser has only had to come to the dispenser’s rescue once, when the bags had been pulled out.
The Envirogreen degradable waste bags are manufactured by Maxpak Australasia, which has been in operation since 1979, and, according to the website, is the choice of many councils for the handling of dog refuse.
Mr Fraser strokes his dog Norman’s ears as he talks about the positive effect the bags have had on the walkway and people’s sense of responsibility.
‘‘It’s not the dog’s fault it needs to go to the toilet. I am very grateful that not only are people using the new bags, but also thinking about bringing their own bags, just in case there are none available from the holder.’’
Mr Fraser thanked the dog walkers who were taking advantage of the bags on offer along the track.
‘‘Thank-you for doing that, because, besides helping the environment and reducing the possibility of spreading disease, you are not only thinking about your dog, you are respecting your fellow human beings.’’
