New dog waste bag dispensers are helping to tackle and reduce dog fouling in communities across Anglesey.

During the past 18 months, many local villages have benefitted from the dog waste bag dispensers, with Town and Community Councils noticing a significant drop in dog fouling.

The joint initiative, between Anglesey Council, Natural Resources Wales, and several Town and Community Councils, has so far seen 25 dog waste bag dispensers dotted around the Island and another nine are on the way.

The dispensers are there to help dog walkers who may have run out of, or forgotten their own dog waste bags.

Anglesey’s Countryside and AONB Team agree location points with Community Councils before installing the dispensers. The dispensers are completely free to use, but members of the public are reminded to think of others, and to only take the quantity of bags they need.

Morwenna Owen, Clerk for Rhosyr Community Council, said “The dog bag dispensers that have been installed in Newborough have been very successful, and the amount of dog fouling in the area has decreased by about 70%. We now intend to roll out the same measures to combat the dog fouling in the villages of Dwyran and Llangaffo too.”

Geraint Parry, Clerk for Llangoed Community Council, said, “Llangoed is pleased to be one of the first Community Council’s to support this initiative by Anglesey Council. The dog waste bag dispensers are definitely helping to tackle the problem in Llangoed and there is clearly less mess around. We would urge every dog owner to pick up dog waste and dispose of it properly to keep our community clean and safe.” 

As Major Projects and Economic Development portfolio holder, Councillor Carwyn Jones has responsibility for the Council’s Tourism, Maritime, Countryside and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) activities.

Cllr Carwyn Jones said, “It is disgusting that some dog owners don’t pick up the dog mess which poses a health risk as well as being a blight on the environment. Thankfully the vast majority of dog owners are responsible and considerate.”

“This scheme involves a joint co-operation in reducing, and raising awareness of dog fouling in our communities. Since its establishment - it has been a great success.  Dog fouling has such a negative impact on our beautiful island’s environment, so it’s great to hear such positive feedback with regards to these dispensers.”

Molly Lovatt, Natural Resources Wales Senior Recreation Officer said: “We work closely with Anglesey Council to bring continual improvements to the coastline Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  

“Making it as easy as possible for people to clean up after their dogs is just part of this. And we’re making sure this project is as green as possible – the dog waste bags are biodegradable to help cut down on plastic litter as Anglesey works to become plastic-free.”

If you would like more details about the dispensers, please e-mail the Countryside and AONB Team: AONB@anglesey.gov.wales