Dog walkers causing a stink

David O'Leary • Published 8 Jul 2011 09:30 4 Comments

LOCAL dog walkers are falling foul of Whitehaugh Park residents due to an overflowing bin within a children's playground.

The bin situated at the kids playpark is regularly filled to the brim with dog poo bags - just yards from where children play.

Dog faeces is known to contain a parasitic worm that cause an illness called Toxocariasis, which can lead to visual impairment and even blindness.

And children are thought to be most at risk of contracting the disease.

Local resident Lynda MacGruer said: "Although dog walkers are to be applauded for at least picking up after their dogs, using a child's playpark bin to leave the bags is disgusting behaviour.

"I have two dogs and walk in the area several times each day but have never managed to catch any of the culprits."

Responsibility for the emptying of the bothersome bin falls to maintenance company, Greenbelt Ltd, to whom all residents pay a fee of around £150 per annum to maintain the amenity ground.

John Beveridge of Greenbelt Group Ltd. told how a routine maintenance crew visits the playpark and empties the bin twice a month but still the bin piles up.

He added: "It is extremely inconsiderate of anyone to place dog foul in a children's play area bin, and certainly constitutes anti-social behaviour. Play areas are designed to be safe for young children to play in - not exposed to a potential health hazard by irresponsible dog owners.

"We take our responsibilities very seriously which is why the play area bin is inspected so often, and why we have instructed an immediate visit by our contractor. We shall continue to monitor the situation."

The issue of dog fouling has been a hot topic in Peebles for quite some time with a whole raft of letters appearing in our own pages.

Peebles Community Council has likewise been inundated by complaints.

Peebles Community Council chair David Pye said: "It's common sense really isn't it, bring it home or place it somewhere else rather than chuck it into a children's playpark bin."

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 08 Jul 11

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  Mr Controversial
  Unregistered User
  Jul 8, 13:03
  Report comment

  Err, how about installing a poo bin? Or is that just too simplistic?
  
  Recommend?   Yes 10     No 6

• 

  hazelkaye
  224 posts
  Jul 8, 21:39
  Report comment

  Poobles!!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 3     No 11

• 

  Alan
  Unregistered User
  Jul 10, 10:40
  Report comment

  Why not just do somthing about it instead of just talking and complaining about it! Put another bin outside the play park. or is this to much like WORK for the council?
  
  Recommend?   Yes 3     No 7

• 

  fullohdogshit
  Unregistered User
  Jul 20, 15:10
  Report comment

  Alan ..mabe if you read the report before you stick your oar in you would understand where the problem is
  
  Responsibility for the emptying of the bothersome bin falls to maintenance company, Greenbelt Ltd, to whom all residents pay a fee of around £150 per annum to maintain the amenity ground
  
  Recommend?   Yes 10     No 0

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