Dear Sir
When I moved to Woodham, one of the things I looked forward to was walking around the woods and pathways around the area.
It truly should be a pleasure to wander through these areas enjoying the break from traffic and other distractions.
Instead it has become a game of ‘dodge the poo’. Every few metres there is always piles of the stuff on the footpaths.
During summer it’s fairly easy to avoid the piles, but during autumn it becomes hard to spot the piles due to the leaves falling from the trees.
I personally have nothing against people walking their dogs, you have every right to do so. But, why can’t you pick up your dog’s poo and take it home to dispose of?
Do you not care if someone walks through it, or a child falls on it?
Do you not care if a child contracts Toxocariasis from contact with the poo? This is immensely serious as it can lead to blindness.
How would you feel having that on your conscience?
Perhaps you think you are a responsible dog owner and do pick up the mess. However, do you see what your dog is doing when it’s off the lead and wandering around behind you?
Do you pick up the mess then throw the full poo bag onto the path or hang it on a tree branch, like a Xmas decoration?
Additionally, when your dog runs up to a passer-by, do you say ‘don’t worry, he won’t hurt you’? Well no-one really knows what their darling pet is capable of and many a person has, at worst, been maimed or killed by a family pet who ‘won’t hurt you’ and, at best, had muddy dogs paws all over their clean clothes when it jumps up to ‘play’.
I really don’t want a dog trying to lick my face when it jumps up at me, we all know where a dog licks itself and I do not want that in my face, even if you don’t mind, because I do!
Dog walkers, please consider the other people walking the paths when you take your family pet out for a walk. Please watch where your dog is at all times, keep it under control, clean up after it and dispose responsibly of the poo.
I know most people are considerate, but there are some who think that they, themselves and their dogs, have the right to do what they want, where they want, with no regard for others safety and hygiene.
Well, I am sorry, but you don’t, the paths and woods are for us all to enjoy, so don’t be a numpty, and clean up properly please.
Name and address supplied.