SIR, Before going off for a month in Australia to see my daughter, I wrote to the Peeblesshire News regarding the problem of dog fouling in the Gytes/Kerfield pitches area, so I was very disappointed to learn in the first Peeblesshire News I read since returning, that the problem has not improved!

In and around Sydney there are many beautiful parks and beaches – some of which are off limits to dogs, but at other locations I saw notices like these: All dogs must be under the effective control of a competent person; Dog mess must be removed immediately and disposed of in the bins provided.

In many instances bag dispensers were adjacent to these notices.

Scottish Borders Council have spent a deal of money on advertising a phone-line so that members of the public can report fouling but I understand it is difficult to secure a conviction as folk say “I was going to pick it up on my way back!” or “I was going to get a bag from my car” etc. etc. Perhaps the latter “notice” would put a stop to excuses!

If you are walking your dog, YOU KNOW you need bags! If you lose it or forget, ask another dog owner. I have even gone into a shop for one when I lost them out of my pocket! In Oz many owners had them tied to their lead or in wee containers clipped to the lead.

It was great to be able to walk along footpaths and sit on the grass and let kids play, without continually looking for dog mess first. Locals must have thought me a bit strange when I scrutinised the area before parking myself!

I love dogs, have had them all my life, but dog owners must be made aware that it is not acceptable to allow your dog to foul recreation/public areas, and that if you persist, these areas will be made dog-free – sad for the dogs, but necessary to protect the public!

PS More signs will be going up in this area – the wood is being cut and painted, but the glue doesn’t set in cold weather!

I am, etc.

Alison Pearson Secretary - Border Beasties Priors Reach Peebles SIR, Before going off for a month in Australia to see my daughter, I wrote to the Peeblesshire News regarding the problem of dog fouling in the Gytes/Kerfield pitches area, so I was very disappointed to learn in the first Peeblesshire News I read since returning, that the problem has not improved!

In and around Sydney there are many beautiful parks and beaches – some of which are off limits to dogs, but at other locations I saw notices like these: All dogs must be under the effective control of a competent person; Dog mess must be removed immediately and disposed of in the bins provided.

In many instances bag dispensers were adjacent to these notices.

Scottish Borders Council have spent a deal of money on advertising a phone-line so that members of the public can report fouling but I understand it is difficult to secure a conviction as folk say “I was going to pick it up on my way back!” or “I was going to get a bag from my car” etc. etc. Perhaps the latter “notice” would put a stop to excuses!

If you are walking your dog, YOU KNOW you need bags! If you lose it or forget, ask another dog owner. I have even gone into a shop for one when I lost them out of my pocket! In Oz many owners had them tied to their lead or in wee containers clipped to the lead.

It was great to be able to walk along footpaths and sit on the grass and let kids play, without continually looking for dog mess first. Locals must have thought me a bit strange when I scrutinised the area before parking myself!

I love dogs, have had them all my life, but dog owners must be made aware that it is not acceptable to allow your dog to foul recreation/public areas, and that if you persist, these areas will be made dog-free – sad for the dogs, but necessary to protect the public!

PS More signs will be going up in this area – the wood is being cut and painted, but the glue doesn’t set in cold weather!

I am, etc.

Alison Pearson Secretary - Border Beasties Priors Reach Peebles