Security guards armed with fluorescent pink paint are out on anti-dog poo patrol

Security guards armed with fluorescent paint have begun pink-bombing piles of poo left behind by unscrupulous dog owners in a town in north-western France. The people of Arras have had enough of seeing the mess made by mutts left lying on the footpaths.



It is hoped the Day-Glo appearance of the pink piles will make owners aware of the need to clean up after their defecating dogs. For people living in the Saint Michel buildings, the de-pooing project is serious business.

Only once dog owners have taken the hint will plans be put in place to open a communal garden space for residents of the 405 apartments. Poo-watchers across France are likely to monitor the project with interest as officials everywhere grapple with the same messy problem.



Last year, one Paris suburb began using video surveillance to snoop on dog owners and swoop on anyone who failed to pick up after their mutts. Also in the capital, a spokesman for the city said: “We will continue to hand out fines to dog owners who flout the law. The number of financial penalties handed out in recent years has increased from 19,255 in 2009 to 21,673 in 2011.”