Letter: Solution to dog waste problem
My family have recently been to a children’s Sunday event at Haughmond Hill and I can honestly say that I have never seen as much dog waste in one place. The paths were corridors of it.
The site seems to be under the responsibility of Shrewsbury Council and the Forestry Commission, and I assume is maintained to a degree through public money.
I am annoyed that such a lovely facility, funded by everyone, for everyone to enjoy, is misused so selfishly.
Promoting a facility and event to families and children at such an unhygienic venue could almost be lacking in a duty of care.
Children of four and six do not think about the transfer of germs from shoes to logs to hands and then to their faces when playing and climbing and really should not have to. Unfortunately after this my ‘duty of care’ means we will not be going again.
The commission’s stick and flick policy just legitimises not cleaning up after your dogs and is a retrogressive move.
In my opinion dog owners who insist on taking their dogs to public places to defecate instead of on their own property could at least pick it up and take it home.
Requesting that dog owners be responsible obviously does not ensure that all dog owners will be, so could I suggest that the car parks and tracks are separated into ones for dogs and their owners and ones for everyone else.
This seems to work quite well on beaches, which as far as I can see had the same problems, and will provide the dog toilet that people seem to need.
It will also eliminate the need for dog waste bins which have been cited as being expensive harmful to wildlife and not in keeping with the working woodland aspect of the area.
You never know, dog owners may begin to self regulate once they are given their own area to almost literally sink or swim in.
I wonder which way the non dog owning majority of the population would go if there was the choice between walking and playing in other peoples dog faeces or not?
S Burke
Shrewsbury
Comments for: "Letter: Solution to dog waste problem"
the infiltrator
Good suggestion ; the area is a disgrace.Lyth Hill is another area I no longer visit as it has become a canine toilet.You have to walk or run looking down to see what you are stepping in.
Julie Hill, DogCast Radio
I am a dog owner, and I sympathise with the views expressed by S. Burke. Those of us who do pick up our dogs' waste are just as infuriated with those dog owners who don't as he or she is. I don't think the "stick and flick" policy works at all, and is probably just a way for the council to avoid having to empty bins.
I pick up after my dogs, and I encourage all dog owners to do the same - not only is it the law, but it's the only way to be a great ambassador for the dog world, and avoid dogs being banned from more and more public places.
JOHN JONES
Once again, Haughmond Hill is privately owned and nothing to do with the council, The forestry Commission only manage the hill for the owners. I have 2 dogs and use the hill daily since being retired, but have been going up the hill for the last 68 years. Simple,!! If you find the hill disgusting DON'T GO THERE. or put plastic bags on you feet and on your hands, and don't forget the hand gel. For you are in the country with wild animals about unfortunately they have not been toilet trained, And will you woman after going in the bushes please take your tissues home with you.
Woody
What a stupid comment by a selfish dog owner who thinks he has a God given right to walk his dogs with no thought whatsoever to others.
Yes, there is muck from "wild" animals not to the scale of the "domestic" dog and their feckless owners inability to pick up their dog mess.
Gary
Unbeliveable! I perceive that JJ is stating that his dogs are untrained wild animals that can poop anywhere they like - regardless of who may own or manage the land. As per usual - it's the attitude of certain owners and not the dogs.
John Howard
Time to bring back the dog licence and an ownership responsibility test before you can get one. Mr Jones with his antisocial behaviour should be banned for life.
Two Tone
One of the most ridiculous comments I have ever read. Further, it smashes the adage that wisdom comes with age.
Mr Jones should be ashamed.
Dog Owner
John Jones showld be investigated for antisocial behaviour.
JOHN JONES
We have today, starting at 09.30, walked up Haughmond Hill, in view of the remarks here we did an experiment,
My wife and I with our 2 dogs started off up the Geo trail with heads down in the rain to report on the so called disgusting condition of the paths, so this is a true report,
Walked up the Geo trail the full length to the junction at the top, Dog Mess Nil. Rabbit nuts a small amount. General appearance Litter free.
At junction turned left, carried on ahead and down the hill, at the bottom turn left past the bench on your right. Dog mess Nil. Horse mess a small amount, again letter free,Except a disposable child's nappy by the side of the bench.
Carried along trail to meet the joining of paths.
Dog mess; yes, 1 lot. again letter free for the most part.
At the joining of paths turned right down the rock path to join the all ability trail at the bottom.Dog mess nil. Slightly more litter. with another nappy in a carrier bag left at the side of the path.
Carried along the trail to the car park. Dog mess Nil as we got nearer the car park there was more litter,
End of experiment.
If anybody disputes my findings please be free to join me on a Saturday morning about 0900hrs I can easily be recognised I have a 11 year old black Labrador and a 6 month old mad black and white Cocker Spaniel, If it is raining I use a blue umbrella if fine a brown walking stick and I always have a supply of bags but up the hill I use the side of my boot.
Unlike others I do not like to remain anonymous. So feel free to came and have a word with me.
Katherine de Gama
I always pick up after my dogs. Bins or no bins there is no excuse not to. Irresponsible dog owners spoil the countryside for everyone. I wouldn't like to have dog free zones. Kids love my furries.
GC
I wonder what goes on in these dog owners heads, they seem to be oblivious of other people, why can't they realise the dangers and health threats this practice causes. I to no longer visit this beautiful spot because of the same problem, maybe paying a reasonable parking fee would deter these selfish individuals from walking their dogs through this facility
After all they would still have Sundorne Avenue to freely let their dogs leave their disgusting deposits along the pavements wouldn't they..
Katherine de Gama
To lighten the mood my cousin, who lives at the entrance to a country park, often has very strange fruit han her trees. People pick up but don't retrieve!!!
mike
Dog owners buy the responsibility for a dog when they buy the animal. This means that leaving dog mess on a pavement or in a park is just as irresponsible as if these horrible people had they themselves defecated in full public view. This kind of behaviour is selfish, disgusting and childish. I say we treat these lowlifes like children and ban them from ever owning another living thing because they have clearly not grown up and thus have proved to everyone that they can not be trusted.
Janice
I walk my dogs at Attingham park where there is a policy to pick up and bins provided. There are a minority that don't, infact I caught an elderly gentlemen leaving his dogs mess behind, he claimed never to have noticed the bins! And must not forget young Mums who on a regular basis throw babies nappies into the bushes. Upon leaving the car park I've found poo bags hung on tree's - these people are just bone idle - tell them off if you see it happening - I do.... I love an argument!
Katherine de Gama
Yep - see my comment re poo bags hanging on trees.
Sadly, my experience is that the elderly are the worst offenders.
ATL
As a dog owner I am embarrassed at the thoughtlessness and lack of consideration sown by some dog owners. I do not want to walk through dog mess neither do I want my dog so to do. Dog mess does unfortunately seem to be a problem which is on the increase and is present in many areas of the town. Perhaps some prosecutions are necessary to send the appropriate message.
David Ray
I posted on this same subject over a year ago and it seems nothing has changed. There is a need for Wardens and/or CCTV. Until positive moves are made to catch and prosecute offenders then this disgusting, irresponsible practice will carry on.