Graphic pictures are being used in an unusual campaign to cut dog mess plaguing Nottinghamshire parks and play areas.
Ashfield District Council says it has become such a problem in the area that children have sometimes been unable to use some sports pitches.
The council’s new advertising campaign, pictured above, leaves little to the imagination and the authority hopes it will make dog owners think twice about not picking up after their pets.
There are many health risks associated with dog faeces – including the eggs of the roundworm ‘Toxocara’.
If they are ingested or inhaled by humans, they may cause eye, liver, brain and respiratory problems such as asthma, hepatitis and epilepsy.
Councillor Tim Brown said: “Environmental Services work hard to clear pitches of dog fouling before the matches are due to take place but people need to take responsibility and pick up after their dogs.”
The new publicity campaign includes posters edited to show a child’s football covered in dog mess during a game.
We have to clear the mess before every game
Ashland Rovers FC regularly play at Kingsway Park, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, which is often affected.
John Dawn, the club’s secretary, said: “Dog fouling is a problem on every pitch we’ve played on which is open to the public.
“We have to clear dog mess before every game.”
Malc Jones is chairman of the Kick Start Youth Football League which provides coaching in the area.
He said: “Ashfield District Council do have good playing fields in the public sector, which we have used in the past, but unfortunately dog owners have made these areas unusable for children because of the dog owners’ lack of respect and ignorance of what sports fields should be used for.”
