cleaning PP

[Sparky]

I know i have been away from Plymouth for a while but it was a much bigger problem there. The few few litter bins that were there were not emptied regularly, so the contents spilled out everywhere .
Here just in my street there is a bin across the road from El Posito and one on the corner of Roger de Flor and i counted 4 in the square.

 

[Smiddy]

Right Lyn, that's summer sorted, i'm counting all the bins

 

[lollipop]

On a lamp post near to the tourist office there is a notice saying that there is a €60 fine for anyone not clearing up after their dog. Unfortunately it does not look very official but has been there for some months!!!!!!

 

[Grandad]

I was astounded to hear that the rule about dogs on the beach is waved for the winter!
Would love to know how many people pick the poo off the beach as it is less obvious than on the pavment. I suppose residents have to have some rights and with respect, did notice less dog poo last year and would hope that the education program keeps working. There are doggy bins in most areas but I still watch people ignoring their dogs poo even though there is a bin nearby.

 

[Nick]

I've seen several people let their dogs mess anywhere then walk off without cleaning it up. And they do it when you're watching so they have no shame.

It is all down to ignorance, and possibly the fact that if the police could be bothered to start fining people it might ease the problem.

Does anyone know if the local council are aware of the problem? Do members of the council read this forum?

It needs to be sorted as it is a most disgusting trait.

 

[eleanor]

I would doubt that any member of the council would read this forum. The people have no shame as they feel no shame. I think the attitude in Europe towards this subject is different to ours. I do not believe the people have been educated to understand that to many it is disgusting. To them it is quite natural, i'm sure.

I'm not sure if police actually follow up the problem in the UK either? - but what I am sure about is that in the UK the majority of dog owners are responsible people and understand through education that it is unacceptable behaviour not to clear up. I also think it is self policed and most would clear up to avoid the embarrassment of being comfronted by someone. I can't see this happening in PP somehow.

 

[Sun Properties]

I would doubt that any member of the council would read this forum. The people have no shame as they feel no shame. I think the attitude in Europe towards this subject is different to ours. I do not believe the people have been educated to understand that to many it is disgusting. To them it is quite natural, i'm sure.
I'm not sure if police actually follow up the problem in the UK either? - but what I am sure about is that in the UK the majority of dog owners are responsible people and understand through education that it is unacceptable behaviour not to clear up. I also think it is self policed and most would clear up to avoid the embarrassment of being comfronted by someone. I can't see this happening in PP somehow.

Totally agree - one day things will 'catch up'. As pressure has mounted the Spanish are gradually reducing the number of bull fights and if you talk to them they cannot believe we are so barbaric as to hunt down foxes. Just glare at people whose dogs leave a mess ~ maybe one day the message will get through.

 

[lollipop]

With reference to my post about the 60euro fine ,this is actually on the post of the tourist office and has been renewed,so maybe the office staff have posted it. Perhaps a few more around the port would help.

 

[eleanor]

Obviously a fine would make some think but I don't think it is the answer. I still think the answer is educating people to accept that it is unacceptable behaviour and a health hazard. The fine would only deter whilst the dog owners think they are being watched. If no one was around to witness, i'm sure they still wouldn't clear up.
I am lucky in that the seafront I walk my dogs here in the UK is fairly free from dog mess. This is not because of the threat of a fine it is because us dog owners know that is what we do.
I see the same people most days walking their dogs and I can honestly say I have never seen them not clear up on or off the beach. Once it becomes the norm in PP it will be the minority which cause the problem and it is then that other dog owners will come down on them hard if they let their club down. - we live in hope!

 

[Sun Properties]

I'll have a go!

Seriously (not that I don't think previous posts have been serious) I am quite willing - either through this forum or not - to endevour to impress upon the Council/local community that the dog dirt ~ whether it be on the footpaths/roads/beach ~ is just not acceptable. The number of times I have stood in the 'stuff' then looked around for some grass (limited supply in the Port!) to wipe my shoes on I have lost track off..... yes I know I should look where I'm walking but at times there are better things to look at than something which might below my feet.

So I am quite willing to TRY and tackle the problem with a concerted voice of consent. My Spanish ain't great but the first thing I would need is email addresses of people that matter. From a personal point of view I know Miquel Cifre who I think is still the leader of the Ports Tourist Bureau + something to do with the yatch club.

SP

 

[Smiddy]

Bonyslad has already stated one of the problems is, during summer, non-locals attending the vet in Roger de Flor, a large sign within the surgery to clean up after their dogs may at least get through to some owners.

 

[Nick]

Yes "Sun Properties", if you would be prepared to progress this with the local council you'd be doing me a big favour for sure. The dog mess is a BIG problem. The dog owners do need to be educated as to the error of their ways.

 

[Sun Properties]

I'm out next week for a few weeks - I'll see what addresses/contacts I can find - in the meantime if anyone has any suggestions - names/Townhall/Council then please post.

 

[eleanor]

I'm sorry I'm afraid I don't have any names or contacts but I am happy to support.

Also just as an aside, I have noticed over the past couple of years, the number of dogs allowed to wander by themselves seems to have grown. This used to be the case here in the UK too, many years ago but rarely seen now. (In my area anyway).

Again this is evidence of the owner not caring or taking responsibility for their animal. A dog, no matter how well trained, will not clear up after themselves!

It is a cultural barrier. The attitude is not the same as ours and may well take some doing to change. From where the locals stand, they may well argue that all is ok please leave us alone. How many dogs are welcome in UK restaurants?
It may well be that the locals are quite happy with how things are and resent us British coming along to tell them what they should be doing.
Just throwing this in the air - doesn't mean I am changing sides but worth investigating the objections to be able to overcome them.
Still think it is a case of education and naming and shaming - just not sure how it can be done.

 

[Sun Properties]

Email to President of the Tourist Bureau

I thought I would start the ball rolling - for those who speak better Spanish than I - apologies - please correct me as I'm still learning! Found out the guy I know is/was running for local mayor + he is El Presidente of the local Tourist Board..... copy of email sent ...

Miquel

Hopefully this email will get to you! I also hope that you are keeping well.

I am looking for some help please. A number of local residents (British) and visitors have expressed concern regarding the state of the footpaths in the Port particularly in respect of the dog excrement. I/they believe this is detracting from the area and we wanted to ascertain who are the best contact(s) to write to in order to address this problem. In our opinion it is the dog owners who really need educating.

I am unsure of your current standing in the area but I recall that you were at one stage (and may still be) president of the Tourist Bureau.

The more people we contact (email addresses would be great) the better. I had in mind the local Major, Town Council, Tourist Bureau etc.

Thanks in anticipation of your reply. I am actually out next week so more than willing to come in and see you or have a coffee somewhere.

Please excuse my Spanish - still getting there slowly.

Regards





Miquel
¡Esperanzadamente este email le conseguirá! También espero que usted esté guardando bien.
Estoy buscando una cierta ayuda por favor. Un número de residentes locales (británicos) y los visitantes han expresado la preocupación con respecto al estado de las sendas para peatones en el puerto particularmente por lo que se refiere al excremento del perro. I/they creen que éste está detrayendo del área y quisimos comprobar a quién son los mejores contactos a escribir para abordar este problema. En nuestra opinión es los dueños del perro que necesitan realmente educar.
Soy inseguro de su situación actual en el área pero recuerdo que usted estaba en un presidente de la etapa (y puede todavía estar) de la oficina turística.
Más la gente entramos en contacto con (los email address serían grandes) el mejor. Tenía en mente el comandante local, el ayuntamiento, la oficina turística etc.
Gracias en anticipación de su contestación. Estoy realmente hacia fuera la semana próxima así que más que queriendo venir adentro y verle o comer un café en alguna parte.
Excuse por favor mi español - todavía consiguiendo allí lentamente.
Respetos

 

[eleanor]

I think you are doing a great job taking this on. We all have a moan on occasions but rarely do we do much about any gripes. So thank you for this.

I will pm you my email address - not because I don't want other members to have it by placing it here but because I really don't want loads of spam.
Thanks again and good luck!

 

[Smiddy]

Yes well done, one thing people complaining another actualy doing something about it! I may be wrong but i think Bonyslad is a member of some local/tourist pressure group, no doubt he will have raised this problem with someone. Perhaps he will enlighten us when he gets back from Australia.

 

[Nick]

Also a big "thank you" and well done from me as well.

Much appreciated SP.

 

[El Gordo]

This is an excellent start. Well done Sun!!

A suggestion:

How about whoever is in PP at the mo gathering some photo evidence, +time and place etc. Maybe uploading them to a common site ?flickr?

I am not suggesting anyone puts themselves at risk by photographing owners, but maybe a tongue in cheek guided tour around the port with supporting photos of Dog Mess etc.

Someone could then organise the sending to those in power, Tourist Info, Local council, Daily Bulletin, TOTN. etc

It would certainly make a good story and possibly embarrass people to mend their ways.

 

[Smiddy]

No doubt the official response would be "That's not PP pooh", you must have taken the picture elsewhere.