Dog owners are told - there's NO EXCUSE!

DOG walkers in Yeovil are being told there is ‘no excuse’ to failing to pick up the mess left behind by their animals.

People have been using social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to talk about a sudden surge in problems with dog mess littering the streets in the town.

There have been particular hotspot areas named such as St Michael’s Avenue, Matthews Road, Monmouth Road, Goldcroft, Rosebery Avenue, Grass Royal, Hillcrest Road, Milford Road and Bell Chase.

One angry mum told the Yeovil Press: “It’s disgusting – why can’t these dog owners clean up after their animals?

“It is totally irresponsible. If they can’t pick up the dog ****, then they shouldn’t have a dog – it is as simple as that.”

She said that her 13-year-old son had arrived home from Preston School earlier this week having inadvertently trodden in some dog mess and he had then walked through the house unwittingly spreading the mess with each step.

“It is so unpleasant,” she said. “I know the majority of dog owners do clear it up, but those few who don’t are giving them all a bad name.”

Dog wardens at South Somerset District Council have said that problems do increase at this time of year due to the weather.

“An increase in dog fouling incidents is usual on footpaths for this time of year as the evenings are darker and grassed areas become saturated with rain which are avoided by dog walkers,” said a spokesman.

“But this is NO EXCUSE to not clear up after you dog.”

The spokesman added: “We will be increasing patrols and anyone caught not clearing up after their dog by an enforcement officer will be issued with a fixed penalty if they refuse to pick i up after being asked to do so.”

The problem is, however, catching the offenders in the act i.e. those who walk away without picking up what their dogs have left behind.

Anyone wanting further information can contact the council on 01935-462462.

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