Football clubs who play at the Parc Helen sports fields in Caernarfon, have recently had more than the opposing team to contend with during matches because of problems of dog fouling on the pitch.
Local football club officials from Waunfawr FC and Caernarfon Borough FC, who both play their home games on the pitches at Parc Helen, are reporting that dog mess is an increasing problem and they are working with Gwynedd Council to urge dog owners to do their bit for the environment and clean-up after their pets.
Emyr Williams, President of Caernarfon Borough FC, confirmed that the situation is giving cause for concern. He said: “The fouling problem is particularly bad from Easter onwards as an increasing number of people use the site for recreational purposes. It’s also worrying as the site is also used by a number of youth teams.”
The situation has been so bad in recent months that games have had to be suspended whilst club officials liaise with the referee in order to remove faeces.
Waunfawr FC Manager Lyndon Roberts said: ”Opposition teams come here and sometimes refuse to play until the problem is sorted. During training sessions we place cones over any dog mess we find – sometimes it looks like a minefield by the time we’ve finished.”
Jonathan Neale, Gwynedd Council’s Tidy Towns Officer said: “The vast majority of dog owners respect public spaces and fields, but a small minority continue to flout the law and refuse to clean-up after their pets.
“As a Council we want to work in partnership with local residents who take pride in their local environment and to ensure that dog owners take responsibility and clean-up after their pets.
“It’s a criminal offence not to clear up if a dog under your control has fouled in any public area. Offenders are liable to receive a £75 fixed penalty from Gwynedd Council’s Street Enforcement Wardens, Maritime and Country Parks Staff or Police Community Support Officers. Failure to pay the fine could lead to a court summons and a fine of up to £1,000.”
Gwynedd Council’s Arfon Leisure Centre Manager, Gerallt Wyn Roberts, added: “We have recently received numerous complaints of dog fouling on our football and recreational grounds in Caernarfon. The situation isn’t fair on the users of the park and pitches in the area and what’s worse it also poses a health risk, especially to children.”
The sports fields at Parc Helen, which are situated opposite Caernarfon Castle and overlook the Menai Strait, are also the venue for high profile sporting events, such as the annual Race for Life and Caernarfon 10k Road Race.
Coming into contact with dog faeces can cause ‘toxocariasis’ which can lead to serious illness and even blindness. Children are particularly vulnerable to this.
What can you do?
If you’re a dog owner make sure you always carry plenty of poop-scoop bags with you when you walk your dog. Wrapped dog mess can be put in a public bin or take it home and dispose of it responsibly.
To request a free dog-poop bag dispenser, contact Gwynedd Council’s Tidy Towns Officer on 01766 771000 or e-mail [email protected]
The public can also help by reporting those responsible by contacting Gwynedd Council’s Street Enforcement Team confidentially on 01766 771000, or by visiting www.gwynedd.gov.uk/do-it-online
Gwynedd Council’s Tidy Towns initiative is sponsored by the Welsh Government.
During 2011-12, Gwynedd Council’s Street Enforcement Team issued over 200 fixed penalty notices for dog fouling and littering offences.
