Councillors raise concerns over dog fouling

Two Blackpool councillors are raising awareness about dog fouling from an anti-social and public health perspective.

Squires Gate member, Cllr Gerard Walsh, and Norbreck representative, Cllr Julie Sloman, are particularly keen to highlight the health hazards associated with dog fouling.

And Cllr Walsh has personal reasons for the campaign – as a youngster he was horrified when another young family member went blind after developing a Toxocariasis infection from contact with dog mess.

Cllr Walsh said: “It’s always been a pet hate of mine. A young girl who was a close relative was playing in a park and she came into contact with it.

“She lost the sight of both eyes. It didn’t hold her back, she went on to have a successful career as a solicitor.

“But it still left a big impression on me. So we’re just asking for dog walkers to pick up after their mess and be careful where they walk their dogs.

“Most dog walkers are responsible but it’s just a small minority who spoil things.”

Cllr Sloman said: “The council is about to impose the restriction preventing the exercising of dogs on the beach between May and September, which will inevitably push people further inland to use our public green spaces. 

“It is great to see so many responsible individual dog walkers out enjoying the fresh air and exercise. The professional dog walkers provide an invaluable service.

“However, there are some people who intentionally don’t clear up after their dogs, and in the case of the professional dog walkers they are sometimes distracted by having a number of dogs and might inadvertently fail to pick up.

“We have large numbers of residents using our green spaces to play sports such as rugby and football, in which they may end up on the ground in tackles and scrums, coming into contact with dog mess. 

“Slight abrasions and grazes on shins and knees can be portals for this infection to take hold.”

Cllr Sloman said they had used stencils on pathways and in public areas, and  stickers on lampposts and bins,  to act as a reminder for people to “Bag it and Bin it”.

She added: “We don’t want to be killjoys but would respectfully ask if anyone who is exercising their dogs on sports fields could please avoid using the raised rugby pitch at Fleetwood road, and ensure they Bag it and Bin it wherever else they exercise their dogs.”