Has your council tax gone up recently? Would you like the council to pay it for you for a year?

Yes, well, I’m afraid that is highly unlikely but it might be considered eventually by the council as an incentive to stop the amount of dog dirt on our pathways and streets.

And how might that come about?

Well, Joe Anderson, the Mayor of Liverpool, is suggesting a reward of a year’s free council tax for photographing owners who leave dog mess on the streets.

And, judging by the number of complaints and people moaning about the same issue here, it might be something that should be considered by Renfrewshire Council.

It has always been a problem but, for some reason or another, it seems the problem is getting worse.

I’m sure the majority of dog walkers are very conscientious but there seems to be some who are spoiling our environment and giving us a bad reputation.

No-one is saying we should restrict the number of dogs or who can own them and who can’t but we have to do something to clean up our streets, as some dog owners couldn’t give a stuff about clearing up after their pet.

And the excuse that a few more dog bins would be handy doesn’t go down well with most folk, as they don’t see why the owners can’t carry a bag with them and put it in their bin when they return home.

The Liverpool Mayor, fed up with the lack of civic pride, has been quoted as saying: “If you provide us with the identity of someone who allows their dogs to foul on the streets and doesn’t clear it up and that leads to a prosecution, then we will give you your council tax for free.

“It will be cost neutral for us because we will be able to fine these people the maximum amount.”

It could be said this is just another excuse to ‘spy’ on others but, if you have some thoughts on the topic, get in touch.

Let’s take our streets back!

To have your say on any of the issues covered in Down Your Way, send an email to editorial@the-gazette.co.uk