AS someone who lives on Seddons Farm Estate near to Greenhill Primary School, it is increasingly evident that there has been an increase in recent years of irresponsible dog owners (from wherever they come from) who allow their dogs to foul the footpaths in close proximity to the school where many young children and adults have to walk.

In recent months it has often become an obstacle course to overcome the mess when lazy and inconsiderate owners have allowed their pets to foul the footpaths around the school area and nearby walkways.

I am certain that these careless dog owners would not allow their pets to foul the path leading to their front door, however they are happy to let them defecate in public areas away from their own back yard. This prompts me to raise certain issues in the forlorn hope that these irresponsible dog owners will perhaps show some consideration for others.

Toxocara conis is a worm that affects many dogs and can infect children who come into contact with it. From a practical point of view it is very unpleasant to remove excrement from your shoes or clothing if you have stood or come into contact with it whilst walking to school or to the nearby shops in Mile Lane.

From a visual perspective, we live in a reasonably nice area although in my 40 years of living on the estate the standards and lack of respect by many has meant a deterioration in what was regarded as a very good neighbourhood. Over the years the council has done a great deal to reduce the mess and have erected warning notices indicating that those found guilty of this disgusting practice can face a huge fine if caught, but so far this has been a fruitless exercise.

Although I doubt whether it would work, I would like to ask readers support for the local council to erect more signs advising pet owners to clean up after their animals, especially in areas close to schools and to erect CCTV equipment in prominent places around the areas in question.

In addition, I would ask those good citizens who might be in the vicinity when the offence occurs to capture a picture of the owners on their mobile phones and send it in to the Bury Times for ease of identification.

More bins might be helpful but as those involved have no thought or regard for others, stronger measures are necessary to eliminate the reckless disposing of dog waste. I would like all decent-living residents of Bury to campaign for dog licences to be reintroduced by the council at a cost of £100 a year, as this would result in many of those irresponsible owners who show no respect, getting rid of their dogs as they would be unwilling to pay the licence fees or would break the law, which would need to be more rigorously enforced than the current bye law.

Regular spot checks would be necessary with community officers given powers of penalty if the owners have no licence, thus perhaps encouraging the occasional dog walkers and dog owners to act in a more responsible manner, whilst at the same time bringing much needed revenue into Bury Council.

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