Pupils of P6D, have been investigating the issue of "Dog Fouling in the Meadows" It is one which they and the public feel very strongly about. They have undertaken research to prove that the problem exists and carried out questionnaires and interviews which highlight that the general public acknowledge there is a problem and want something done about it. They gave a presentation to the Environmental Services Committee of the local District Council and were also interviewed on TV.

Sciennes Primary School has a section of the Meadows allocated for their use during lunch-time. There would be outrage if dog-owners exercised their dogs in the playground and the children want the same rule to apply to the Meadows. They are so eager to try and better the situation they are prepared to plan fund raising events to part finance the installation and upkeep of more bins, or to campaign to have their area sectioned off and declared a "dog free zone".

More information about the project for teachers.

First of all the children looked at the local council regulations relating to dog fouling and public places.

Any person in charge of a dog who allows it to deposit its excrement upon

1. A footpath or footway;
   
2. A grass verge maintained by a Local Authority and situated adjacent to a footpath or footway;
   
3. A pedestrian precinct maintained by a Local Authority;
   
4. Any place maintained by a Local Authority and used exclusively as a children's play area;
   
5. Any place maintained by a Local Authority and used for recreational or sporting purposes, being a place (in relation to which this section applies by virtue of the below) is guilty of an offence, and liable to a fine!

* 2) Section 1 (e) refers to a place where a notice stating that this section applies to it, and the effect of such application, is displayed at the entrance to that place or elsewhere so that it may be seen by members of the public intending to have access to the place.

*3) None of the above applies to a blind person in charge of a dog kept and used solely for his guidance (guide dog) or to a stockperson in charge of a working dog being used for driving livestock.

The teacher and the children designed a questionnare and went out into the Meadows to elicit some response::

QUESTIONNAIRES

Dog owners

Non Dog owners

Would you mind if we asked you a few questions? 1) Do you live in the area? Yes No 2) Is this your dog? Yes No 3) Do you always exercise your dog here? Yes No 4) Do you clean up after your dog? a)If yes, why is it important?... b)If no, why not?... 5) Do you think more facilities (scoops, bins etc.) should be provided to enable owners to clean up after their dogs? Yes No 6) Are you aware that it is against the law to allow your dog to foul in a public place? Yes No 7) What would make things easier for dog owners? THANK YOU!

Would you mind if we asked you a few questions? 1) Do you live in the area? Yes No 2)Do you think there is too much dog fouling in the Meadows? Yes No 3) Do you think there are adequate facilities to assist owners cleaning up after their dogs? Yes No 4) Do you think more should be done to reduce dog fouling? Yes No 5)What would you like to see being done about the problem? THANK YOU!

The children also wrote some letters to the newspapers and to the Council here are a few of them.

On June 9th 1997 some members of the class and their teacher gave a presentation to the Environmental Services Committee of Edinburgh District Council If you have any comments or information you would like to share with us on this subject, mail us at Sciennes

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