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Blair in Bloom is getting set to impose a dog ban in The Meeting Place after the pretty garden area was blighted by dog poo.

The group says it is “absolutely disgusted at such selfish behaviour by irresponsible dog owners”.

After clearing up over a dozen dog poos on one day, they have this week been given permission by Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) to enforce a dog ban in the garden and meeting place.

The site opposite Blairgowrie’s police station was transformed into a garden and meeting place nine years ago, and opened by John Swinney MSP.

The area was developed as a garden for youngsters and Blair in Bloom has held open-air art workshops with children and has plans for more in 2020.

Last year they spent £900 revamping the area, replacing planting, painting and pressure washing it.

But the site was recently vandalised and it was only when a group went to deal with the vandalism on Monday, they discovered the dog fouling issue.

Blair in Bloom chair Mary Birch said: “We had a lot of vandalism with art work (done by pupils and parents at Rattray Primary School) attached to a fence ripped off.

“We had gone to do some pruning and then discovered all this mess on the gravel. It was all over the wheels of a baby’s pram and on one volunteer’s boots.

“It’s so anti-social. Periodically things happen but not anything on a major scale.”

The group, which has won a gold medal from Beautiful Scotland for its efforts, went straight to the Perth and Kinross Council to see if because they hold the licence to occupy the site, they could impose a dog ban.

Mary said the council officer told them they were absolutely within their rights to do so and there were “bound to be complaints”, but these would be dealt with as and when they came.

The group hopes to have the signs up within the next two weeks.

Mary said: “It’s just so disappointing for everyone in the town. We are doing our best to keep the town smart and clean. To have to walk through that is just not on.”

She added: “We all like dogs. It’s just the minority that spoil it for the majority.”

The group also cleared several bagfuls of rubbish fly-tipped on Coronation Corner which the group plans to transform with accessible paths, plants and a seating area. Coronation Corner was created to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, but has lain neglected and dilapidated for several years.

Blairgowrie and Glens councillor Caroline Shiers said: “I absolutely agree with Blair in Bloom that this is unacceptable.

“The Meeting Place and other public areas in the centre of town are there to be enjoyed by everyone.

“I will raise this issue with the dog warden and ask that it is given some attention, but ultimately it is dog owners not picking up after their dogs and these dog owners need to take responsibility for their dogs.”

Fellow local elected member, Cllr Tom McEwan said: “Blair in Bloom does an enormous amount of work in our community and have rightly received awards for their efforts.

“Irresponsible dog owners who do not collect and dispose of their dog’s waste in the bins provided can and will be fined by the council dog wardens.”