Dog poo mystery finally solved after the Hackney Gazette “steps in”

The mystery of which culprit controls a dog toilet area dubbed a “serious public and environmental health issue” – after the area was not cleaned for months on end – has been laid to rest.

Housing association The Guinness Partnership apologised for the state of the fenced area on the Northwold Estate and its staff emptied the overflowing dog poo bin and picked up the faesces-filled plastic bags strewn over the grassy area, after the Gazette contacted them.

The saga began after ITV director Mark Westcott had no luck finding out who was responsible for the appalling mess off Rossington Street in Lower Clapton. He said enquiries to the housing association and Hackney Council were met with flat denial.

Mr Westcott, who is working on Bear Grylls latest show, said: “This ‘toilet’ is an enclosed area, designated and sign-posted by some unidentified agency, as set aside for animal fouling.

“Last summer we were plagued with blowflies from this unattended mess of excreta.

“I think the reason this disgusting midden is in such an appalling state is that no management body seems willing to take responsibility for it

“The whole surrounding area is heavily fouled and this is, without doubt, a serious public and environmental health issue.”

He said he was told by two groundsmen on the estate that The Guinness Partnership had instructed them not to clean the mess as it was the council’s responsibility. And when he made further enquiries, nobody seemed to “have knowledge of the problem or how to solve it”.

But after the Gazette contacted The Guinness Partnership, a spokesman said: “We are sorry that the bins for dog mess on our Northwold Estate had not been emptied recently; we have now emptied the bins and tidied the surrounding area.

“We will ensure the bins are emptied regularly in future, and would like to remind dog owners that it’s their responsibility to clear up after their dogs.”