Geoff says ‘This is an all too typical sight in the Long Furlong area of North Abingdon. Complaining to Biffa, the Vale or local Councillors may or may not resolve the immediate problem but long term they all have proved themselves incapable of organising a schedule that prevents this insalubrious spectacle.’
Why can’t dog owners take their dog’s mess home? I’m assuming that’s where ‘walkies’ are going to end up.
The above photograph is testament to dog owners’ lazy self-entitlement. Can’t they register that there’s a collection problem when they see a bin like this? Apart from the unsightly mess this is going to have to be tidied-up by some unfortunate employee who’s probably not responsible for scheduling this bin being emptied on a regular basis.
There are responsible dog owners, but if domestic dogs being kept as pets in urbanized areas is ever banned it’ll be the thoughtless owners who’ll be to blame.
I have to disagree with newcomer; if dog bins are provided then surely they should be looked after properly. The photo is a disgrace. I have better say quickly that I am not a dog owner.
I should add that dog owners are not off the hook. Why don’t they take the trouble to report a bin problem? There is a phone number on each bin; whether it’s visiible or nor is another question.
There’s no need for the bins at all. If you get a dog you are responsible for its poo. Pick it up and take it home. If you don’t want to do that, don’t have a dog. It really is that simple. Anyone who added their bag of poo to that pile should be totally ashamed of themselves, they are thoughtless, selfish and irresponsible.
Quite right newcomer and Julia, no one should assume any government service should be adequately funded and competently performed, if you have a burst appendix you have a duty to have a go at surgery on your kitchen table with Wikipedia, a corkscrew and a kitchen roll, if you don’t want to do that, don’t have an appendix.
Thanks to backstreeter for the bins coverage.
A burst appendix isn’t a choice, unlike owning a dog.
I agree with Newcomer. Take it home. Yes the Council should provide these bins plus do their job and empty them, but for goodness sake surely any dog walking idiot can see if its full to overflowing they shouldn’t add to the mess?
That’s a health hazard.
Goodness, this had brought the dog haters and the usual windbags out of the woodwork. If the Council and their unmanaged contractors did what they were meant to do they would be no problem and no health hazard. It really is that simple folks.
On another note. This was posed by Naomi on The Abingdon Facebook page:-
Just to let people know that Matthew Barber, leader of Vale of WH district council confirmed on Friday that they will not consider including toilets for disabled children at Abbey Meadows.
There has been a campaign running to get a ‘Changing places’ facility installed when the toilets are refurbished, but the council have said a categorical no. On Friday our petition of over 800 signatures was considered by the Vale cabinet.
The conclusion was that the new toilets will be only four unisex cubicles, two of which are accessible to those who can self transfer. Most kids, because of the nature of their disabilities, can’t self transfer.
Thus, we are in ludicrous position of having built an inclusive playground that is not in fact accessible to disabled children, as there are no toilet facilities for them.
I am ashamed that in 2018, it is still thought acceptable that public money (250k, no less) can be spent in a way that deliberately excludes a section of the community, especially when this is disabled children. It is discriminatory.
The council has said there is not enough money…but 250K seems a very large budget for public loos. Also, we would be happy to help with fundraising and grant applications, but the petition was rejected without any consideration of alternative funding measures.
If the council had agreed to the scheme, Abbey Meadow could have had the first park in Oxfordshire that would be fully accessible to all children.
Didcot has two changing places facilities in the town centre, and Wantage will be getting one soon. Abingdon is left behind again.
I want to live in a town where everyone has access to public services and amenities. If you do as well, please write and express your views to both your town councillor and your Vale councillor, their contact details can be found on the council websites.
Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely and best wishes Naomi Richardson
Thank you Julian.
This sounds like a deplorable situation that I’m quite certain The Veil will defend strongly. It does, on the face of it, epitomise the contempt Abingdon is held. What possible reasons could there be to not be ahead, or even simply ‘on’ the money and have such facilities?
It is (should be) an embarrassment to to The Veil. It’s an embarrassment to the community that they are represented by such people; however, alas, it is not unexpected.
The reason for Abingdon’s continued decline? Simple…look at the Management.
Still…the flowers look good, and I hear the roads round The Hanney’s are in pretty fair condition.
Just to add, The Veil has done a truly Stirling job at The Meadow…and what with the pool coming…how hard could it be to add a cherry on top of all that hard work…
John – with all due respect, your comment is complete nonsense.
As an Ex Dog owner my dog (Scamp) would be on my back if left a mess like these surpossed dog owners have!!!
With regard to the dog bins, as I live close by, I regularly report the bins overflowing to Biffa, and generally they will take 2-3 days to empty them. Also, usually when I report it, they have already had several other complaints.
It is a shame that some people have used this thread as an opportunity to have a go at responsible dog owners.