‘Ignorant’ dog owners told to clear up dirt

That was the question raised at this month’s meeting of Market Rasen Town Council.

De Aston Field in Willingham Road is a popular place for dog owners, however the animals are restricted to just one part of the field.

Councillor Neil Taylor said: “One of the biggest problems we have is that not everyone seems to understand the dog part is actually just the narrow corridor alongside the wall.

“People let their dogs out over the whole of the field; most of them seem to pick up their dog dirt that’s not a big problem.

“The majority of them are responsible, yet we have this small core of irresponsible and quite frankly ignorant people who are causing problems and we have got to do something about it.”

More worryingly, though, is the complaints Councillor Taylor has received about verbal abuse when these dog owners are challenged.

He said: “I am not one to repeat any of the words that were used to a local resident, but they were quite frankly appalling and if a police officer had been near by I am sure the person would have been arrested for a verbal assault and threats

“The fact is, the person [who complained] no longer goes on to the field with their dog if that other person is nearby.

“The obvious thing to do would be to ban them and say you can’t come on [the field], but of course they would then just walk the streets and add to the already disgraceful situation we sadly have in our town.”

While other councillors had not personally witnessed any abuse, they were concerned over people not clearing up after their dogs - especially as a second poo bin has been sited midway along the footpath.

Councillor Stephen Bunney explained it was only because the strip against the wall is a public footpath that dogs are allowed on the field at all.

He continued: “There are one or two residents talking about it as a dog walking field and I have said no it isn’t it is an old playing field which we are doing up for recreational purposes.

“So when we do put this arboretum and things in which we are hoping to do we perhaps need to be putting notices up and also doing what we can to go out of our way to clear it.

Cllr Taylor added: “We need to make it clear it is only that area alongside the wall where the dogs are allowed and if the dogs go on to the rest of the field then it is absolutely a responsibility of the dog owner to clear up any poo.

“If they don’t, then we will fine them; there are powers to allow authorities to fine people for not picking up .”

Earlier this year, Councillor Jo Pilley spearheaded a ‘green dog walkers’ campaign in the town to try and help combat the dog dirt issue.
She said: “We need to keep this in people’s minds really and look at spreading the word a little bit more.
“Unfortunately, you can’t make people do it, you can only ask them to do it - education is key.

“The vast majority are not unreasonable, it is just the very few like any other anti social behaviour that spoil it for everyone. But a public area like this should be safe and clean for everybody to use and we have just got to keep trying at it.”