Dirty dog owners use my garden as a toilet
Sarah Wood with her son Jak on the grass outside her house in Longhorghton where people continue to let their dogs foul the grass.
A young mum has blasted dirty dog owners for letting their pets foul in her garden, just as a county-wide crackdown is launched on offenders.
Sarah Wood contacted the Gazette after having to remove piles of excrement from her lawn at Trenchard Way in Longhoughton.
And the 22-year-old says she fears that her son Jak, who is 15 months, could be put at risk if he accidentally comes into contact with the mess.
Miss Wood’s concerns were raised as Northumberland County Council embarks on its Don’t Stand For It campaign, to raise awareness about dog fouling, the problems it can cause and let residents know how they can help tackle it.
Miss Wood said: “Longhoughton has a dog mess problem and owners round here are not picking up after their pets.
“It’s getting out of hand. Everywhere you walk there is dog mess and its getting harder and harder for us mums to take our children out without them standing in it.
“People here are getting signs made to tell owners to clear up after their dogs and I am watching everyone with dogs to make sure they do. I’ll make them clean it up if they don’t.
“Just yesterday, I found dog mess in my front garden where my 15-month-old son plays. It’s really getting out of hand.”
The county council’s message is that everyone must pick up after their dog on publicly-accessible land, anywhere in Northumberland, 365 days a year.
Residents are asked to watch out for the new posters which have started to appear around the county to promote the campaign. Stickers will also be used to highlight bins in the local community and encourage people to use them for dog mess.
Victoria Barrington, head of Public Protection said: “I would like to encourage the public to assist us in protecting Northumberland’s environment by reporting incidents of dog fouling they witness to the council.
“Working together, we can make a positive difference to promote responsible citizenship and ensure the small minority that break the law don’t get away with it.”
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Weather for Northumberland
Friday 24 May 2013
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