Pooch poo impedes job creation

DOG owners who fail to clean up after their-four-legged companions, while walking on the beach, could be thwarting job creation in the area, said uMhlanga councillor, Heinz de Boer. What’s more the defecating pooches could be the reason why uMhlanga Beach is not achieving its Blue Flag Status.

His statement follows a serious warning issued by the uMhlanga Urban Improvement Precint (UIP), urging residents to clean up after their pets. According to Brian Wright, the UIP project leader, complaints about the defecating dogs were not only flooding in to them but also to the City. Wright said the problem was that the dog owners did not clean up after their dogs.

De Boer explained that the City hoped to reclaim the Blue Flag Status for uMhlanga, which signifies excellent beaches. “Tourists prefer to visit beaches that are marked as Blue Flag Beaches. If we can reclaim that status it will attract more tourists and facilitate job creation,” he said.

But, in order to do so the municipality needs the co-operation of the residents, as it does not have the man power to police the issue. “There are bylaws and a fine ranging from R200, but the problem is not policed,” explained de Boer.

The biggest problem is that the dog excrement could pose serious health risks. Wright said: “It affects the water quality and the e.Coli levels in the water, which could cause gastro intestinal infection. It is the same thing that makes the people sick who paddle the Duzi.”

A single dog excretion could affect the water quality of a beach for an entire day, added de Boer.

Wright warned that if the owners do not take responsibility the city will be forced ban all dogs from the promenade and the beaches.