On Saturday I ran out on to the rugby pitch at Ashley for New Milton RFC, something I have been doing for more than 40 years.
But never has the pitch been so covered in dog mess. More than a dozen canine stools had to be removed from the grass before play could commence.
Even in the absence of signage and by-laws aimed at preventing such behaviour, a courteous and community-minded person would never allow their pet to defecate on a pitch where people play sport.
And should their dog foul the turf, the responsible owner would always pick it up and dispose of it correctly.
It seems that a minority of dog walkers are hopelessly ignorant or, more likely, terrifically lazy and selfish.
Not only is falling face-down in dog excrement deeply unpleasant, but roundworm eggs sometimes contained within the faeces can cause blindness, particularly in children.
Hundreds of youngsters play on the recreation ground every week.
Dog owners, please consider other users of the recreation ground and prevent your dogs from fouling it. And please pick up and dispose of any faeces your dogs might leave behind.
Ed Baker
Upton
