Dog poo sprayed with neon paint in Edinburgh to shame owners

Dog poo is being sprayed with neon paint in one of Edinburgh's finest open spaces to shame lazy dog owners.

Rangers at Holyrood Park are spraying the waste in bright colours in order to highlight the problem of dog fouling.

The painted waste is then left for a week before being collected with hopes the tactic will encourage dog owners to clear up after their pets.

Poo bags which have not been disposed of properly have also been sprayed, with the campaign sending the message that the area is ‘being monitored’.

The tactic was described in a new litter strategy recently published by Historic Environment Scotland, which manages Holyrood Park.

It said the neon paint had been used by several councils and ranger services across the country.

The report said: “Using eco-friendly spray paint we have been highlighting any dog waste left on paths or in the play area.

“Signage has also been erected, explaining the initiative and pointing dog owners to the locations

of suitable bins.

“This has sent out a message that the area is being monitored. Sprayed dog waste and bags were left for a week before being collected.

This gave time for them to be noticed, and in some instances for the dog owners to pick them up and remove them.”

The rangers said the approach had led to a “significant downward trend” in the problem

The report added: “We will soon be moving the scheme over to another part of the park as it had such a

positive impact.”