IT may not seem a huge issue to most people but one city councillor says dog fouling in his ward is so bad one resident is considering moving house.

Green Party member Neil Laurenson says residents have complained to him about the problem in his St Stephen ward, particularly in Perdiswell Park, for two years.

“I’ve had a couple of e-mails about the issue, including one resident thinking of moving house because of the issue,” he said.

“Dog bins are there but some people don’t use them.

“Some people bag up the poo and then just fling it. It’s pretty grim.

“It’s something people have been complaining to me about for two years now.”

He said another resident he has spoken to says dog fouling and litter has got worse in the area in the past 18 months.

Simon Conway, who lives next to the canal path in Worcester, says there is a continual problem in the area with owners bagging up the mess then leaving it.

“It’s an eyesore and a nuisance,” he said.

“It just seems to be getting worse and worse.”

Several readers have got in touch with us to voice their concern – and anger – over owners who fail to deal with the mess.

Tina Kennard, of Perdiswell, said the irresponsible owners let their pets foul because they know they can get away with it.

“My partner and I walk regularly over Perdiswell and the canal and we, and others we have talked to, are appalled by how much there is everywhere, including poo bags full up and just thrown into trees and bushes,” she said.

“It is so disgusting, it’s a disgrace that people have to put up with this on their walks.

“We constantly have to look to the ground, instead of enjoying the sights, just to make sure we don’t tread in dog mess.

“I think it’s about time something was done about this problem.

“It just seems to me that these ignorant people know they can get away with it – and they do – and they don't have any respect for others.“ Meanwhile Scott Simpson, from Diglis in Worcester, said it’s only a minority of “narrow minded” people giving everyone else a bad name.

“Walking down the canal toward Diglis from as far back as Perdiswell you’ll find dog mess hanging from bushes, trees and fences, precariously in plastic bags,” he said.

“These dog owners are obviously conscientious enough to bag it up, but (as) soon as they’re out of sight of others are obviously throwing it anywhere hurriedly.

“Not only does it look disgusting, it shows how narrow minded these people are.”

 

MEDICAL PROBLEMS

A LEADING consultant has warned of the dangers of coming into contact with dog mess.
Dr Chris Catchpole, consultant microbiologist at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said blindness is a real possibility.
“It is more than just the aesthetics which are upsetting,” he said.
“I can list numerous different parasites which make their home in dog faeces, the most serious of which – the roundworm toxocara canis – can leave people seriously ill and at risk of losing their sight.
“Worst of all, the people affected by such a parasite are likely to be children because they tend to play in contaminated dirt and sand more than adults.”
The doctor stressed, however, that parents shouldn’t panic about letting youngsters play outdoors.
“Nationally, there are only about 10 cases a year,” he said.
“I believe people would be far quicker to clean up their dog mess were they aware of the problems it can cause.
“It is a very reasonable thing to do, to clear up after your dog.”