Dear Sir,
On Sunday 11th August, my husband and I took our 22 month old son for a walk along one of the routes just outside Byerley Park play area.
After approximately 50 metres into our walk, the path was filled with so much dog excrement that my son was driving his bike straight through it. I stopped him but after jumping off his bike and before I knew,  he had touched the faeces. I was left with the task of carrying his heavy bike home while my husband carried my son, ensuring he did not put his hand anywhere near his face.
Why do dog owners feel that because they are out of sight it is ok for them to leave their dog’s mess all over the path for other walkers to deal with?
Dog mess is unsightly, unpleasant and can spread disease, or in extreme cases, cause blindness through toxocariasis. This can occur when someone (usually a child) accidentally ingests small particles of contaminated soil. Symptoms include abdominal pain, cough, and headache and in extreme cases can result in permanent vision loss.
I witnessed a couple walking their two dogs through the park, leaving their older dog to do its business in the grass right next to the park fence.
Whose responsibility is it to clear away dog fouling?
It is the responsibility of the dog owner or the person in charge of the dog to clear up any dog foul left by their dog.
The regulations state specifically, that being unaware that the dog has fouled, or not having a suitable means of removing the faeces is not a reasonable excuse for failing to clean up after your dog.
If you do have a dog and are one of those dog owners that is simply too lazy and anti-social to pick up their animal’s waste, then get rid of the dog! You wouldn’t like me to cover you in my child’s poo would you?
Dog mess is a public health hazard – Bag it! Bin it!
Leyanne Penington-Foster