Posted on: Friday 16 May 2025
More than 30 groups have backed the council’s new anti-dog fouling campaign in the first week.
Volunteer groups, sports clubs and schools have signed up to receive packs aimed at highlighting and recording the amount of dog poo in their local areas.
Among them has been Crow Valley Angling group, Bridge 46 to Five Locks and New Inn Junior AFC.
Kelly Jenkins, New Inn Junior AFC, said: “After seeing the social media campaign regarding this matter, our club and service users can relate to the issue of dog fouling within our grounds and pitch areas.
“We are in a geographical vulnerable area in regards to dog fouling, being such an open green space with park facilities. A lot of residents use and walk the site daily.
“It’s sad to say that prior to each match, training days and local organisations accessing the facilities, that dog fouling is found during pitch inspections.
“Any support to help educate and prevent future incidents is worth its weight in gold to ensure we have a clean safe space for our facilities to be accessed.”
Another supporter of the campaign is Cwmbran Celtic AFC who joined a week ago.
Steve Roberts, Volunteer for Cwmbran Celtic, said: “We try to look after the pitches as well as we can, but we do have a problem with dog fouling, which is why we are supporting the Pick It Up campaign.
“Please, if you are a dog owner pick up after your dogs and take it home to dispose of. None of our team members want to be stepping or falling in dog poo when training or playing in a match.”
Groups involved in the campaign will record the number of incidents they find, and this information will be passed onto our civil enforcement team.
As part of the council-led campaign, 200 dog poo deterrent packs have been created, including Pick it Up banners and bin stickers, stencils and chalk spray.
Councillor Mandy Owen, Executive Member for the Environment, said: “We hope the Pick It Up campaign will transform our pavements and public spaces into cleaner, safer, and more enjoyable areas. Stepping in dog poo is not only disgusting but also poses a significant risk to human health, so let’s work together to make a positive change.
“Hopefully, this campaign will encourage dog owners to be more responsible and prevent their dogs from fouling.”
Local councillors have also been provided with Pick It Up packs.
If you are a volunteer group, community group, sports club or school and want to join the Pick It Up campaign, email pickitup@torfaen.gov.uk for a free pack.
Failing to pick up after a dog that has fouled in a public place is a criminal offence and carries the risk of a £100 penalty.
Dog owners can put used dog poo bags in any litter bin in the borough.
Members of the public are asked to support the campaign by reporting dog fouling online or via the MyTorfaen app.
The Pick It Up campaign has been partly funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.