DIRTY dogs – and their owners – are creating big problems for walkers.
Now a new campaign has been launched to persuade dog-owners to clean up after their pets on country walks.
The request to take the bags of waste home for disposal came from the Kirklees Public Rights of Way Unit.
Staff are concerned with the amount of dog fouling on public footpaths, pavements, playing fields and farm land.
Dog faeces is a health hazard to humans and also to other animals – including farm animals.
Council officers insist bags of dog waste should be taken home and disposed of in any litter bin with the exception of those located near children’s play areas.
Clr David Sheard, Kirklees Cabinet member for Highways, said: “Dogs are great companions for people, but as dog owners it is our responsibility to ensure we don’t inconvenience other people or put their health at risk.
“We should all carry bags to enable us to clean up after our dogs. Even the best trained dogs are sometimes caught short.
“There is now an increasing and disgusting habit of leaving bags of dog waste on trees or walls or left in a pile on the roadside and I would ask dog owners to refrain from this”.
