You may not own a dog, or perhaps you do and you always clear up after it. But the thing is, complaints about dog poo at the Recreation Grounds and Public footpaths in Westfield have featured regularly in the 10 years of the Parish Council’s existence and it impacts us all. In a meeting this week with the Dog Warden Jo Brain we asked, “What more can we do?”

Although a huge number of owners do clear it up, there are still some people who feel it is unhygienic or not something they should have to do. However, it is a real health hazard to leave it where it lies - on pavements or in parks and playgrounds and it is also against the law. Everyone has to share the same recreational space and there is nothing worse than having to constantly look for dog poo to prevent you or your children stepping or even falling into it. The football teams (including youth teams) that play at Westhill and Norton Hill recreation grounds tell us that they scour the pitch before matches and regularly fill carrier bags with faeces. And the contractors who mow the grass have the nasty experience of spraying it everywhere when they go over it with the mowers.

So, what more can we do? Well, if you see someone not picking up after their dog, report it to Jo on 01225 477000 or report it on FixMyStreet.com Try to give as much information as possible – the time of day, does it happen regularly the type and colour of the dog, the exact location. Jo will do all she can, because the sad fact is that, when all else is failing, imposing fixed penalties will change behaviours.

Chair of the Parish Council, Geoff Fuller, pictured below with Dog Warden Jo Brain said, “The Dog Warden patrols the area and there are fixed penalties of £50 if you do not pick up after your dog. This may also lead to prosecution if the case goes to court. Please do your bit to keep Westfield safe and clean”

All faeces contain bacteria that can cause stomach upsets if ingested. However, the greatest risk to public health from dog faeces is toxocariasis. Toxocariasis is an infection of the round worm, spread via dog faeces. Young children in particular are at risk due to their weaker immune systems and because they are more likely to expose themselves by ingesting the eggs. A puppy can pass as many as 15,000 eggs per gram of faeces, and they are a major source of environmental contamination and cause visual impairment and blindness.

So please, pick up after your dog every time your dog makes a mess. Keep a packet of bags next to the dog’s lead as a reminder to take them with you.

And do not let your dog off the lead in the recreation grounds. If you can’t see them, how can you know if or where they have had a poo! The signs at the Recreation Grounds in Westfield tell you that dogs must be kept on a lead – please respect that.

Thank you for helping us to keep Westfield clean!