Tackling Irresponsible Dog Owners At Kenfig National Nature Reserve

Anyone who loves Kenfig National Nature Reserve is being invited to share their views on how to tackle dog fouling and encourage responsible dog ownership at the site. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Bridgend County Borough Council is holding a consultation day at the nature reserve this Thursday 1 December where people can pop in and share their views any time between 8am and 6pm. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Everyone who attends between 10am and 3:30pm will also have a chance to meet representatives from the Dogs Trust to find out about free dog microchipping, have an existing microchip checked, and get free dog health and training advice. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Charles Smith, the council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “Kenfig National Nature Reserve is one of the finest wildlife habitats in Wales, and we want to keep it that way. While the majority of dog owners who visit the site behave impeccably, there is a problem with some dog owners who are spoiling it for others by not picking up after their pets, even though we provide plenty of bins. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“As well as being unsightly, dog mess contains harmful bacteria that can actually affect other species at a nature reserve. It’s very unpleasant and we are keen to gather views and ideas on how to tackle this problem.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The council is also keen to promote responsible dog behaviour in general at Kenfig National Nature Reserve, which includes keeping dogs under control and keeping them on a lead around livestock. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​