Eight-year-old Ellie Pattie is calling for dog owners to help keep the streets clean by scooping up after their pets.

The Burntisland Primary School pupil decided to take action after having to dodge dog dirt on her journey to school from her Meldrum Crescent home.

Her mother Lynne said: "Ellie had been complaining about the amount of dog dirt littering the pavement on the walk to school everyday.

"It's quite bad at the top of the town, and had gotten worse recently.
"I told her to be pro-active about it, rather than complaining."

Primary four pupil Ellie e-mailed her local councillor George Kay, who went out with her and Fife Council's environmental wardens to inspect the area.

Lynne added: "I think Ellie is definitely a product of her generation in that there is a lot of awareness among children her age about environmental issues.

"She is just eight years old, yet she is more responsible about this than some adults."

Cllr George Kay said dog fouling had become a big issue in some parts of the town.

"In some streets it was shocking. It has clearly become a problem and I applaud Ellie for coming forward and highlighting this.

"There are a minority of people in Burntisland and Kinghorn who should be really ashamed of themselves.

"We can do a lot of things, such as increase patrols and install an extra bin, but ultimately it is down to individuals to be responsible.

"The greatest supporters of this are those dog owners who look after their dogs and the environment."

Fife Council's environment team leader Elaine Devine said more complaints about dog fouling were received during the winter months, with Burntisland and Kinghorn being noted regularly.

"There are less people around and it is darker in the mornings and at night therefore people may believe they can get away with this anti-social behaviour," she said.


FIFE Council plans to get tough on Burntisland dog owners who fail to clean up after their pets.
The local authority has organised a three-day campaign in March which will see wardens patrol popular dog walking areas in the town.
Anyone caught allowing their animal to foul without cleaning up will face a £40 fixed penalty fine, rising to £60 if not paid within 28 days.
Wardens will also be visiting Burntisland Primary School on March 11 to give a talk to pupils on the issue.
Environment team leader Elaine Devine said: "People who are taking on the responsibility of a dog must ask themselves if they are prepared to clean up after it.
"If the answer is no then they should not become dog owners."