Mum hits out at pests who let pets foul pitch
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AN outraged mother is considering stopping her son playing on a football pitch in Wick because of safety fears over dog mess.
Kerry Gunn said that other parents have also voiced their concerns about the dog dirt which is found on the Bignold Park on a weekly basis.
The situation has become so bad that organisers from East End Boys’ Club, which uses ones of the pitches at the park for home matches as well as training sessions, have to clear it of dog mess the night before they plan to use it.
Mrs Gunn (37), of Murray Avenue, Wick, said that her seven-year-old son Alan loves playing football, but she is becoming increasingly worried about his health due to the amount of mess that is being found.
“My son played for the club last Friday on a warm evening that was perfect for playing outside,” she said.
“But when he got home, his football boots were covered in dog dirt and the smell could only be described as honking.
“What worried me even more was that there were over 20 kids playing on the pitch who were sliding about and the dirt could have come into contact with any part of their bodies.
“I raised it with the coaches at the club and they said that it was a problem at the park despite dog bins visibly located beside the pitch.
“I was in two minds about letting my son go back to play at Bignold Park after seeing the amount of poo on his brand new boots.
“It still makes me cringe the thought of him playing on the pitch, and not allowing him to play there has crossed my mind.”
East End chairman Alan Turner said that the pitch has to be cleared of dirt on a regular basis – but officials feel there is nothing they can do to prevent the problem.
The only way that it will stop is for the minority of dog owners who allow fouling to happen to realise the problem,” he said.
“It is an ongoing issue at Bignold Park although I wouldn’t say it was a huge one.
“For health and safety reasons we have to make sure the pitch is clean and it isn’t great for its reputation when visiting clubs come to play.
“We have spoken to the council about it in the past, but the responsibility does lie with the dog owners although the culprits are probably only a minority.”
As well as being antisocial, dog fouling has been known to cause blindness and other illnesses in young children as a result of toxocariasis which can be contracted from faeces.
Under the Scotland Dog Fouling Act 2003, offenders found guilty of dog fouling can be fined between £40 and £500.
Caithness dog warden Anne MacDonald said that the Bignold Park is suffering the same problems as many other areas in Caithness and she urged anyone who witnesses fouling to contact her immediately.
“Bignold Park is an area that comes and goes in terms of dog fouling – it can be quiet during a period of time and more prevalent during another.
“Anyone who witnesses it taking place should get a description of the owner and their dog and registration number of their vehicle if possible.”
The dog warden can be contacted on 01955 607737.
