A football pitch plagued by dog mess is to be policed more regularly by council enforcement officers after the intervention of a Plaid Cymru AM.
Chris Franks, who represents the South Wales Central area, wrote to the Vale of Glamorgan council after learning of the problems faced by his local football team, Dinas Powys.
The side, which plays in Division One of the Welsh football league, have been warned by the FAW they could face disciplinary action after one game was stopped three times to allow dog excrement to be removed.
Dinas Powys football club runs 31 teams which includes a thriving youth section. Two senior teams and an under 19 team play at The Murchfield pitch where dog fouling is persistent. A public notice has been erected near the pitch warning owners they can be fined up to £1,000 if they fail to clean up after their pets.
Despite the threat of a stiff penalty, club officials regularly find dog faeces during their pre-game inspections of the pitch.
After Chris Franks raised the problem with the local authority, Councillor Geoffrey Cox, Cabinet Member for Visible and Building Services at the Vale, wrote back saying: “We currently have three Enforcement Officers who are responsible for dealing with dog fouling, litter, commercial waste problems and graffiti, throughout the Vale.
“With such a large area and such a small resource it is difficult for us to provide a sufficient standard of enforcement for all our open spaces.
“Our efforts tend to be concentrated on areas with the largest number of visitors/users, such as Barry Island and the Penarth Cliff-top area.
“I am however very concerned with the problems being experienced in this area and have therefore requested that our Enforcement team carry out some enforcement work at the Murchfield in an attempt to break the cycle of the use of the field by irresponsible dog owners.”
Plaid Cymru AM Chris Franks said: “It is a shame that it has taken the threat of action by the FAW against Dinas Powys football club for the Vale of Glamorgan to pay the Murchfield area a bit of attention.
“I am pleased the council will finally keep an eye on the state of the pitch because Dinas Powys football club are representing the town in the League of Wales. Any punishment against them by the football governing body in Wales would not only damage the reputation of the club, but the area itself.
“Plaid hopes that regular patrols by enforcement officers will be enough to ensure the football pitch and its surrounding area is kept clear of dog mess which is not only unpleasant to see, but also hazardous for the health of players.”
