To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC), new signs have been installed in country parks to promote responsible dog ownership.
With funding from NatureScot, the signs encourage dog owners to ‘Know the Code’, pick up dog waste and dispose of it responsibility.
The code is based on three simple principles:
- respect the interests of others
- care for the environment, and
- take responsibility for your own actions.
We have placed the signs across our three country parks – Drumpellier, Palacerigg and Strathclyde – and provided free biodegradable dog waste bags at key locations across the area.
Dog walking is one of the most popular ways people enjoy the outdoors, bringing significant health and wellbeing benefits. However, dog fouling remains a concern for many park users. As well as being unpleasant and distressing, dog waste can pose a risk to public health through the spread of disease.
"Our country parks and greenspaces are enjoyed by thousands of residents and visitors every year,” said Councillor Helen Loughran, Convener of the Environment and Climate Change Committee.
“These new signs reinforce a simple but important message: if you're walking your dog, please clean up after it. Responsible dog ownership helps protect our environment, improves the experience for other visitors and supports the principles of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code."
The free biodegradable dog waste bags are available for a limited time from: North Lanarkshire libraries; Drumpellier, Palacerigg and Strathclyde Country Parks; and Chryston, Riverbank, Orbiston and Newmains Community Hubs.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to Know the Code and help ensure North Lanarkshire's parks and outdoor spaces remain clean, safe and enjoyable for everyone.
For more information about the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, visit www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot.