Hawick residents kicking up a stink over dog dirt

Elderly residents of flats in Hawick are kicking up a stink about being deterred from hanging out their washing by dog dirt being allowed to accumulate behind their homes.
Hawick councillor Davie Paterson in the communal area behind the Allars Crescent flats.Hawick councillor Davie Paterson in the communal area behind the Allars Crescent flats.
Hawick councillor Davie Paterson in the communal area behind the Allars Crescent flats.

Several older people living at the Scottish Borders Housing Association flats complex in Allars Crescent are complaining that a communal area they use to dry laundry is now so littered with canine faeces that they can’t face the prospect of navigating a way through it to get to the washing line.

That’s a situation needing to be addressed, according to Hawick and Hermitage councillor Davie Paterson, and he’s urging the culprits to clean up their act.

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He has contacted the association to call for action and he believes he’s identified a potential suspect.

Mr Paterson said: “Around the back of Allars Crescent has become a dumping ground for rubbish. There is a three-piece dumped there right now, and there’s also dog dirt everywhere.

“There’s a lot of elderly people in those flats, but there are a few younger ones that have moved in.

“I’ve been told that there is one lady who has been just opening her door and allowing her dog to foul.

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“The dog’s not getting exercise and is just being allowed to do its business at the back of the flats and it’s not being picked up.

“I’ve asked the housing association to have a word with this lady, and I believe they are in the process of doing that. Hopefully, that will deal with that.

“The mess can’t go on because it could be causing rats or anything.

“There is a drying area at the back and some elderly ladies tell me they’re not hanging their washing out because they don’t want to be walking through the dog dirt.

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“I don’t know how long this lockdown is going to last, and people need to be considerate to their neighbours, especially at times like this.”

A spokesperson for the Selkirk-based association said: “The tenants need to be reporting whoever they think is causing the problem.

“If they highlight who they think is at fault, a fixed penalty can be given and this may stop the dog fouling.”

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