Council gives poop scoops to dog owners

PALMA
THE Environment department on Palma City Council has distributed more than 3'000 poop scoops to dog owners in the municipality to try and reduce the problem of excrement on the pavements of the city.

The biodegradable plastic bags, which are available at veterinary clinics, make the collection of dog excrement that much easier through the use of a simple pair of tongs. Environment Councillor Cristina Cerdó who is also head of Palma City Council's water and rubbish collection company - Emaya - explained that the move which came into effect on 1st July this year, aims to improve urban hygiene and do away with one of the problems which is the biggest cause of complaint in the city. She said that the collaboration of the Balearic College of Veterinary Surgeons has been key to setting up the poop scoop network because it is the animal clinics which will come into contact with the city's dog owners. Cerdó thanked the College President Ramon Garcia who has apparently taken a personal interest in ensuring the success of the project. At the end of 2004, Emaya widely distributed in Palma what are known as “Sanecans” - metal stands holding plastic bags and a container so that dog owners could remove excrement from the pavements and place it in the provided bin.