Wednesday March 11th 2026
West Lothian Council headquarters
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville
A West Lothian village has seen an influx of pet dogs in the last few years, according to a local councillor.
Dog waste bins are filling up within days of being emptied, a meeting heard this month.
Carl John thanked operational Services for the new dog fouling warning stencils placed around the village but asked: “Can we have a look at these bins.”
At the last meeting of East Livingston and East Calder Local Area Committee Councillor John told of the abuse he’d faced for suggesting to pet owners to take dog mess home with them.
At this month’s meeting he said: “I think everybody who has moved into East Calder in the last three years must have a dog. The big bins are emptied and four days later they are getting filled again. Gray bags are being placed beside the bins and they are getting filled. I can think of two maybe three sites where it is happening.”
Councillor John thanked Simon Scott from Operational Services for the new stencilling warning owners to clean up after their pets. He asked if it could be extended to the newer streets south of Langton Road in the village.
”The stencilling is having a good effect. It would be good to see some more once the weather gets better,” he told the meeting.
Mr Scott said more stencilling could be done and the council can also supply large stickers.
Mr Scott reiterated previous advice to people to report overflowing bins, pointing out that all bins will be on a schedule for regularly emptying.
He said: ”We can look and consider whether it’s on the right programme and look at that.” He advised Councillor John to report the location for staff to pick up and empty.
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