Residents’ patience is wearing thin with dog owners who don’t dispose of waste bags correctly, after increased litter during lockdown.

There has reportedly been many instances of dog owners placing their dogs’ excrement into plastic waste bags and rather than disposing of them in a bin, either leaving them on the ground or even hanging them in trees.

Whilst it has been an issue that has irritated members of the public for some time, the amount of dog waste litter accumulating has now increased due to both more people out and about walking their pets and also because of a reduction in the frequency of emptying of public bins by North Ayrshire Council, owing to COVID-19 restrictions.

A complainant to the Herald, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Dog owners should be responsible for cleaning up properly after their dogs and more importantly disposing of their waste correctly.

“The main issue, aside from the waste being left in the first place, seems to be the lack of dog waste and general rubbish bins in that area. There is one bin at Ardeer Bowling Club for the whole Rec.

“There was a bin outside Glencairn Primary school, but it got set alight a few months ago and never replaced.

“There is nothing stopping the owner hanging on to their dogs waste until they find an appropriate bin or get home, not leave it lying there or hang it from a tree or bush.”

The council have been approached for comment but as of yet have not responded.

As well as dog waste, concerns have been raised as to the amount of litter in the area generally with many instances of flytipping being reported recently.

Many members of the community have been taking it upon themselves to clear up the mess of others.

Household waste has been accumulating due to the ongoing closure of recycling and waste centres as they are not deemed essential.

There have been calls to reopen the sites with many blaming the increase in flytipping on the closures.

In response to the relaxing of lockdown measures in England, where waste centres have been allowed to reopen, Nicola Sturgeon said on May 11 that Scotland would be taking a more cautious approach, but that she “will also be looking urgently – in close discussion with councils – at the possibility of reopening waste and recycling centres.”