$275 council warning after ‘absolutely disgusting’ discovery on busy beach

A frustrated Australian city council has issued a warning to local animal owners after volunteer landcare workers made an “absolutely disgusting” discovery while cleaning up a popular beach.

The ongoing problem reached its peak recently when more than two dozen bags of dog feces were found in the sand dunes on the main beach at Merimbula on the New South Wales south coast in just one day.

Bega Valley Shire Council said all the steaming piles were scattered within 50 meters, prompting authorities to remove dog waste dispensers on nearby Ocean Drive.

Trudi Badullovich, ranger services co-ordinator at Bega Valley Council, told Yahoo News Australia on Tuesday the council was “actively addressing the environmental issues posed by dog ​​fouling and rubbish bags, which can decompose when left on beaches.” , which endangers marine life.”

“By removing dog waste dispensers from hotspots where bags are often left behind, the council wants to encourage pet owners to take more responsibility for proper waste disposal.”

Badullovich said dog poop alone has a smaller impact on the environment than dog poop left in degradable bags on the beach. However, locals are responsible for taking the feces with them, otherwise they risk a fine of $275.

Residents or tourists who fail to properly dispose of dog poop bags will face a $500 fine.

“Council will increase the number of foot patrols to inform property owners and take enforcement action if necessary,” Badullovich told Yahoo. “We urge residents to use their own bags and dispose of them in bins.”

Reports of dumped poop bags are increasing in several Australian states

Hoping to fix the problem, Bega Valley Shire Council appealed to pet owners on Facebook on Monday morning. “With summer just around the corner, let’s work together to keep Merimbula beautiful for everyone,” the post reads.

A spokesperson for Send Snap Solve told Yahoo that there has been an increase in reports of discarded dog waste bags in New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria, with residents of the latter countries filing 100 reports this year.

In response, the Far South Coast Landcare Association said its staff had collected the pile of droppings pictured online last week while removing invasive weeds.

“These bags are NOT compostable and will remain in the dunes for a long time. I assume poop breaks down pretty quickly at least, plastic is a much bigger problem!”

Others agreed, calling the scene “appalling” and “inexcusable.” However, some locals said removing the dog poop bag dispensers would only make the problem worse. “This mess is inexcusable, but sometimes people really forget to bring a bag,” one woman said.

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