Summaries of Dog Poo Case Studies
East Gippsland Shire's 'Doggy Doo' Dispensers Program
Continuing complaints about the level of dog droppings on public foreshores and public open space recreation land led to the installation of dog poo bag dispensers in key locations which resulted in a reduction in visible dog droppings in these areas.
Frankston City Council's 'Doggy Don't' Program
Installation of bins and bag dispensers reduced the amount of complaints about as well as the incidence of dog poo.
Kingston Council's 'Stoop & Scoop' Program
The City of Kingston employs a full time Education Officer in their Local Laws Department to respond to issues like dog poo. The 'Stoop and Scoop' Program sends a positive message about responsible pet ownership to the public. Dog owners are encouraged to change their behaviour through Council's voucher system for pooch pouches upon registration. Dog owners are rewarded with treats for their dogs when they show they are carrying an appropriate device to pick up after their dogs.
Lake Macquarie Council's Dung Beetle Release Evaluation (NSW)
The Council wanted to measure the effectiveness of the introduced species of dung beetles so conducted an evaluation to determine how many there were.
Manningham's Dog Litter Removal Study
As part of Manningham Council's Domestic Animal Strategy, they undertook a dog litter removal study across four highly used dog off-leash walking parks. The study found dog owners picked up when dog litter bins were located in prominent positions within the parks. Key elements in encouraging dog owner pick-up behaviour included education and enforcement of dog owners and collection and disposal options supported by appropriate messages on signage.
Maroondah Council's 'Responsible Pet Ownership Competition'
In 2003, Maroondah City Council launched a 'Responsible Pet Ownership Competition'. The program started on 10 April, cleverly coinciding with dog and cat registration, and will finish on 22 December 2003.
Mornington Peninsul a Shire's 'POOch Pouch' Program
Mornington Peninsula responded to community concerns about dog poo by implementing an education and enforcement program. The main driver was giving away POOch pouches to its dog owners through a wide variety of distribution points. The Shire used the local media as a key educational tool in the program, which included a number of partners. The progam is ongoing with early anecdotal evidence indicating its success.
Mornington Peninsula Shire's 'Responsible Dog Ownership' Program
A program focused on providing some initiatives towards improving the 'culture' of dog ownership in the community.
Port Phillip Council's Award Winning Program
Dog poo was identified as the number No.1 community amenity issue in the streets and parks of the City of Port Phillip in 1998. It was also a major contaminant of Port Phillip Bay and beaches. A major media blitz was needed to encourage dog owners to pick up after their dogs, accompanied by an enforcement program. By 2000, the amount of dog poo in the City of Port Phillip and across Melbourne reduced to a third of the 1998 figures. Community approval in Port Phillip for the 'absence of dog litter from pathways and beaches' rose from 44% in 1998 to 56% in 1999.
Warringah Council's 'Community Watch-Dog Project' (NSW)
The Community Watch-Dog Project is an innovative project that set up a system for dog owners to take responsibility for their dog's waste and dispose of it thoughtfully. Warringah Council became the first in NSW to use POOch pouches, and the first council in Australia to run a systematic education program around dog owners and water pollution.
Wellington Shire's Lake Guthridge Program
In response to an increasing number of complaints about the level of dog poo around Lake Guthridge in Sale, Wellington Shire implemented an education, reward and enforcement campaign which resulted in significantly reducing the number of complaints.
