Name and shame dog walkers, say South Lynn volunteers

Volunteers who maintain a popular South Lynn green space are calling for people to 'name and shame' dog owners who leave dog mess littering the site.

Members of the Harding’s Pits Community Association (HPCA) have complained after "irresponsible" dog owners have repeatedly allowed their pets to foul sometimes just metres from the designated bins.

HPCA chairman, Rob Archer, said: "Dog owners will claim they always clear up, but clearly not all of them are telling the truth. Dog mess is not only deeply unpleasant, it is dangerous.

"Contact with dog excrement can cause toxocariasis in humans – a nasty infection that can lead to dizziness, nausea, asthma and even blindness or seizures in humans.

"Many local children play on this site all year. How would these people feel if one of their relations was infected?"

The seven acre site is popular among local residents who like to visit and enjoy nature. But with litter and dog mess are causing increasing problems, volunteers who manage the site are calling for offenders to be reported.

"We have to be endlessly alert to try to avoid it," says Rob Archer. "It really spoils what should be a pleasant task in the open air."

He added: "A number of potentially fatal canine parasites are also spread through fouling. A worry is the apparent surge in dog ownership during the pandemic.

"People see a fluffy puppy and forget about the less attractive aspects of being a responsible dog owner in an urban area. We might be facing a new nationwide health problem – for people and dogs."

Volunteers are urging those who use the site to report dog owners to the police if they are spotted allowing their dogs to foul at Harding's Pits Doorstep Green.

Rob said: "You can be served with an on-the-spot fine of £100 if you are caught not clearing up your dogs waste and if the case goes to court the maximum fine can be £1000. There are also stiff fines for dropping litter and fly-tipping.

"Most people who use this site love it, tell us what a great job we do and complain about the irresponsible people that leave their waste. But we all need to work together to protect it. People need to report the minority of people who spoil this amenity for the rest of us."