No more dog mess on the streets

IN AN attempt to stop dogs fouling the pavements and public parks in Sintra, the câmara has launched an initiative that requires owners to take more responsibility. Following a similar line to the “scoop the poop” campaigns already operating in the UK, Sintra Câmara has installed a total of 169 dispensers throughout the borough and is using the slogan “Our best friend, the dog, leaves nothing on the ground”. The dispensers contain plastic bags for collecting the dog mess and pet owners must then place the bags (and their contents) into the special containers provided. Agualva, Belas, Cacém, Massamá, Mira Sintra, Monte Abraão, Queluz, Rio de Mouro, São Marcos, Santa Maria, São Miguel and São Martinho all boast the new receptacles. In addition to this initiative, Sintra is also developing another “clean up” measure, which has already proved quite a success in other parts of Europe. WCs for dogs are the latest idea and these take the form of a small grass area, complete with a sandbox. The very first “dog toilet” in the borough is to be located in Rua da Rainha Santa Isabel in Cacém, but others are already in the pipeline.