Local people have voiced their opinions on what to do about dog mess in Abergavenny, as councillors grasp the issue.

Writing into the Chronicle, many residents said the problem was down to a few absent-minded owners, with the vast majority taking time to clear up after their pets.

Tracy Thomas said the problem ‘infuriated’ her, and suggested that dog owners keep their pooches on a lead when in Bailey Park and other public areas.

“I am a dog owner and always clean up after him – even to the point that I’ve brought filled poop bags home in the car if I cannot find a bin when leaving,” she said.

“In my experience if dogs are running free then the owner is more likely to not clean up. Wander leads can used as a compromise.

“There will always be offenders: that’s inevitable! But I’m finding that the problem has got worse instead of better. A big shame in such a beautiful area.”

Rebecca O’Neill said the park should be ‘policed’ with all dog owners found not carrying refuse bags to be issued with an on-the-spot fine.

“A couple of weeks ago, I came back from the park with dog poo all over the wheels of my pram,” she said.

“Last year, I watched a woman watching her dog poo near the entrance of the children’s park and then just walked off. I challenged her and she said she had no bags with her..so I handed her a nappy and said use this!”

Though keen the underline that the problem is likely caused by a small minority, local councillors said the health issue regarding dog mess was a serious one, and a common complaint amongst their constituents.

Councillor Teslin Davies, who heads a group keen to address the situation, said Toxicara Canis, a disease found in dog faeces posed a threat to health.

“The town council is committed to dealing with this, and I think it needs to be stressed that the extent of the problem is caused by a few irresponsible dog owners. The majority of dog owners do pick up their dog’s mess,” she said.

“There is a suggestion that Abergavenny should follow Rhondda Cynon Taff’s example. They have put in a public spaces protection order in place which came into effect on October 20th.

“More than 20 dog owners have faced a fixed penalty notice of £100. ?

?“This is obviously a county issue, but, in the meantime, people need to at least be showing that they are responsible by carrying bags with them whenever they are out with their dogs.”

Councillor Tudor Thomas said dog mess was one of the ‘top complaints’ he received when canvassing during May’s local elections.

“The Abergavenny Rugby Club nearly always has to clear dog mess on their pitches before matches. This poses a serious hazard to players,” he said.

“They run a large number of mini rugby matches where children are in danger of getting dog mess on their faces and particularly eyes.

“There is a danger of children and people getting eye infections and possibly losing sight in an eye or eyes! Dog mess poses a real risk of spreading infection.

“The real issue is one of enforcement. Virtually no-one has been prosecuted in the Gwent police force area.

“The only real answer would be to employ a dog warden to enforce the law and deter offenders. The vast majority of dog owners are responsible and clean up after their dogs. Though, we have had reports of dogs being taken into the children’s play area in Bailey Park and being sat on the swings!”?