An article by Councillor Jonathan Trollope.
We are a nation of dog-lovers. With the advent of spring and the warmer weather, walks with our four-legged friends become more frequent and commonplace. An important part of being a responsible dog owner involves the not-so-pleasant task of cleaning up after our pets when they make a mess while out in public. It is neither enjoyable nor glamorous, but it is a vital task for dog owners of all shapes and sizes for a number of reasons.
Firstly, there is the social aspect it to the issue: dog mess is not nice to look at. By leaving it lying around in our parks, paths and pavements, you are running the risk of someone, possibly even a child, stepping in your dog’s waste.
Secondly the risk of disease: dog mess contains harmful bacteria and parasites that can cause Toxocariasis. This is a serious disease, which can even lead to blindness in humans.
Thirdly there is the damage to the environment: dog mess left uncollected can potentially enter our water courses, and thus be further detrimental to human health. Also, dog poo often contains high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, both of which can upset the delicate nutrient balance in our local ecosystems and damage biodiversity.
Finally, there is the legal aspect. We have not only a moral but also a legal duty to clean up after our dogs in public – failure to do so can result in prosecution and a £50 fixed penalty fine if caught. If brought to court there is even the possibility of a fine of up to £1000.
Frampton Cotterell is a lovely village, full of lovely people.
We owe it to ourselves, our neighbours and our community as a whole to do the right thing and clean up after our pets.
Remember: Bag It, Bin it!
