'Poo Man' patrol launched to tackle dog fouling

A new dog fouling warden nicknamed the "Poo Man" is to patrol the Isle of Man as part of a three-month trial aimed at tackling dog mess and educating owners.

Shaun Pearce, who runs a private dog waste-clearing business, will have powers to enforce local by-laws but says he hopes education will be enough to change people's behaviour.

Pearce will patrol Laxey promenade and the wider Garff parish, where dog fouling has become a growing concern.

He said his role would be to keep the area clean while making people aware of the damage dog waste can cause.

He said he got the idea for his business after hearing about someone in the UK who cleared dog waste from private homes.

"I thought I could do that in my spare time," he said.

"People ask why someone would pay for that? I respond with, 'Why would someone pay for a window cleaner or a gardener?'"

If he finds anyone breaking the by-laws, Pearce said he would initially focus on education, handing out information and explaining the dangers of dog fouling rather than issuing fines.

"I don't want to be heavy-handed. It's just been an issue creeping in over the years and needs resolving."

Garff commissioner and local cafe owner Julie Pinson said previous attempts to tackle the problem "hadn't succeeded".

"So now we are trialling a dog warden," she said. "He will educate and hopefully prevent. He does have authority to enact the dog by-laws, but we're hoping that won't be necessary."

She said children had been left stepping in dog mess on routes leading to the beach.

"We want people to enjoy the views," she said, "not looking down at where they're stepping."

Residents have largely welcomed the move.

"I think it's a brilliant idea, excellent stuff," one said. "There's that much dog mess about that you just can't control it."

Another called it "a good idea", particularly if it stopped people hanging dog waste bags from trees.

Dogs are banned from part of Laxey beach between 10:00 and 18:00 BST during the summer months, while failing to clean up after a dog is an offence under Garff's by-laws.

Pearce will patrol wearing a bright orange hi-vis gilet emblazoned with "Poo Man" on the back.

"The dogs better be on their best behaviour," he said with a smile.

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