Doggy bag dispenser on trial

A DOGGY-DO bag dispenser is being trialled at Feilding’s Timona Park to ease the concerns of dog walkers whose animals may be “caught short”.

Principal Environmental Officer, Colin Perrin, said the trial would last about three months and public feedback assessed as to whether further dispensers are installed at other dog walking sites in the town.

About 1000 biodegradable bags are contained in rolls of 10 in the stainless steel dispenser, which is located near the Campbell Street entrance to the park. It will be checked regularly and restocked when required.

Mr Perrin said previous units were largely big and bulky, whereas the design of the latest product meant it had small visual impact, was robust and user-friendly.

Other benefits offered by the dispenser include its low unit cost and ease of installation and being maintenance-free, with no moving parts.

Councils in Rodney, Nelson and Christchurch are also carrying out trials.

“We hope the dispenser will help reduce any problems of animal fouling at Timona Park and on its playing fields,” said Mr Perrin.

“It’s something new, so let’s see how it works over the next few weeks and go from there.”