WE are a nation of dog-lovers, but like most towns and villages throughout the country, dog fouling is a problem.
Frome Town Council is looking at ways to tackle the problem of some dog owners who are constantly not clearing up after their pet. Most owners are conscientious and make every effort to keep Frome clean, but unfortunately, that’s not everyone.
Councillor Kate Beilby says, “It is a problem that directly affects us all, but particularly families with young children, wheelchair -users and people who have visual impairment. And it is horrible. Persistent offenders are letting the town down. However we know everybody gets caught short sometimes and that’s why we now provide disposal bags. So if you find yourself the victim of forgetfulness, call in to the Town Hall and grab a poo bag on us.”
Two concerned mothers, Auriel and Natasha, visited the Town Hall recently to see what can be done. Here, they found out some facts about canine waste from the council that might make some think twice about turning a blind eye.
It doesn’t decompose as
quickly as you might think
“Dog poo might look like a natural product, but is often far from it. Most shop bought foods contain high levels of preservatives, which remain throughout digestion the digestion process, slowing decomposition drastically. Tests have shown that a single ‘poo’ can last for over a year, so unless you pick it up, it’s not going anywhere fast.
You can use regular litter bins
“There’s no need to carry that smelly burden around with you until you see a “dog poo” bin, or worse, leave it on the floor because there isn’t one around. It may seem like a strange place to put animal waste, but normal litter bins are fine. Just bag it up and chuck it in – it’s far better than leaving it behind.
It’s bad for our waterways
“Left anywhere near a river or stream, rainfall will eventually introduce it to waterways, where it creates nutrients for algae, stopping the sunlight from penetrating the water’s surface and resulting in a lack of oxygen, not at all good for the delicate ecosystems. Protect the River Frome!
Health indicator
“The quality of your canine pal’s poo is a huge indicator to internal health. It may be the first (or only) sign of some upset or long-term illness. Your pup may appear happy and healthy, but a bad stool can tell otherwise. You’re not going to notice alarming differences, let alone subtle changes if you don’t take a look. Picking it up is the perfect way to do this.
It’s dangerous
“Dog poo is a breeding ground for diseases such as giardia and E.coli. Also, eggs laid by the Roundworm parasite can survive in soil for many years even after the poo has been removed. If ingested, these eggs can hatch into larvae and cause toxocariasis, which can cause serious illness.
“Because of the way they play, children are most likely to be infected. They may only have to play with soil which once had dog poo on it, and still contains active eggs. For this reason, it’s incredibly important we pick up poo straight away.
Why not ask another owner?
“Talk to each other! If you’ve forgotten to take a bag with you, don’t forget that somebody else may have a spare, and will probably be very happy to see it going to good use. Hey, you might even make a friend.
“A final thought, if you can’t bear to get up close and personal with your doggy’s doo-doo – nobody else is likely to want the job either. Don’t pass the responsibility on. Fouling is always the responsibility of the owner. We’d like to think it’s down to apathy and indifference, rather than malicious intent. So – share this information to get the word out, and remind people why dog mess is more than just a nuisance.
“For more discussion about what can be done tune into Frome Town Council’s Health and Wellbeing show ‘Radioactive’ on 1st February at 12 – 1pm.”
