Courtney said she first reported the issue through the FixMyStreet website but claimed little progress was made.
She contacted the council who said the land was not owned by them and no action would be taken. However, she questioned that decision, pointing out that streetlights had been installed in the alleyway.
She said she then tried “non-stop” to get the issue resolved by reporting it through the council’s website, contacting her local councillor, sending emails and posting photographs on the Hearsall Residents’ Association page.
“A week later it was still there,” she said. “It was just obstacles and more refusals and still the urine was there.
“Fly-tipping is like a magnet, it just gathers more things.”
After sharing photographs of the waste on social media, Courtney said somebody suggested creating an art installation to draw attention to the problem.
“I thought, what is there to lose? I had tried everything officially and it had been a failure,” she said.
“So, I rummaged inside my recycling bin, got a piece of cardboard and wrote a little poem on a protest banner.”
She placed the sign next to the rubbish, photographed it and shared the image online on Thursday, tagging local councillor Patricia Hetherton.
On Friday, Courtney said she saw city enforcement officers clearing the waste.
Courtney said she was “very happy” but what was “even better” is that Hetherton said the council will look at a prevention plan.
“This isn’t a one-off and it is just so depressing,” she added.