A water company today slammed “senseless” dog owners who persistently hang bags of poo from TREES at beauty spots.
Yorkshire Water has installed dog bins at a number of reservoirs after opening them up to the public.
But some dog owners have refused to use the bins – instead bagging the waste and hanging it from trees just a few feet away to create an unhygienic eyesore.
The water company says it is “increasingly exasperated” by the “senseless behaviour” of the pet owners.
It is estimated to be costing Yorkshire Water #40,000 a year to remove mess from 120 recreational sites across the county.
And this year alone there have been more than a dozen occasions where wardens have had to clear areas of some sites which have been carpeted in dog muck.
Geoff Lomas, recreation and catchment manager for Yorkshire Water, said: “We’ve spent millions opening up some of our stunning reservoir sites, with thousands of people using them every week for their enjoyment.
“So it’s incredibly sad that despite our best efforts, we’re hearing reports that on occasions people are having to spend more time watching where they’re walking rather than actually enjoying their walk and taking in some of the incredible views on offer.
“Not only does such irresponsible behaviour make it harder for everyone else to enjoy our beautiful sites, but it’s also very unpleasant for the people who have to clear it up.
“Our message to them is simple: Please do the right thing and make sure you always clean up after your dog and dispose of any mess in the correct way.”
Dog owners caught leaving mess on the ground or hanging it from a tree can face a fine.