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poo - Thea (19th Aug 2011 - 11:53:52) We've got such a lovely new playpark at the recreation ground, and my three children, aged 4, 3 and 1, are loving it. BUT, what a nasty dog poo problem there seems to be. My middle one had to be stripped of his outer clothes after walking in, and falling over in, a huge pile of fresh poo, just outside the gate to the play park - I'm talking two feet away. We then took the children across the recreation ground to the old play area and my oldest picked some berries, which were also covered in poo! We counted four more piles around that area, where quite a few young children were playing. It's disgusting and a serious health hazard for little ones who can easily get this stuff in their mouths/eyes everywhere. Is there anyone who has a suggestion about what can be done about this? Like more dog poo bins? Free bag dispensers?

Re: poo - Rosie (19th Aug 2011 - 12:19:03) Unfortunately I don't think bins or free bags are the answer as it is just more expense for the council. The mind set of people who allow their dogs to foul (and especially areas where there are lots of children) is that someone else can always clear up for them. I've even seen people put the poo in a bag and then leave the bag hanging from a branch. presumably for the poo fairy to take it away! Being vigilant, finding out who these people are (grassing on them if necessary) and giving them the appropriate fine might make them think twice.

Re: poo - Michael (19th Aug 2011 - 12:23:09) Make the Recreation Ground dog free!! ie ban dogs like Bohunt School have done.

Re: poo - Rosie (19th Aug 2011 - 12:24:14) Oh, and the same thing happens in Radford Park. In the past there has been someone who brought a whole load of dogs in a van (presumably professional dog walker) and then just let the dogs free. I'll see if there is a dog warden or dept at the Council who can advise.

Re: poo - Rosie (19th Aug 2011 - 12:47:05) Advice received from the Environmental Dept at Council: If the Rec is under the control of the Parish Council it is possible to have areas designated as dog-free. Signs can be put up. Dawn Hoskins if you read this can you please advise? If a member of the public witnesses someone allowing their dog to foul (and then not clear it up) then they need to gather evidence such as a photograph or better still another person willing to act as second witness. However the advice is NOT to enter into any form of confrontation, and NOT to take any photos if the dog owner appears to be under 16. The person(s) witnessing the act must be willing to provide evidence if a prosecution is made.

Re: poo - Jay (20th Aug 2011 - 13:27:56) As a responsible parent and dog owner who DOES pick up after her dog (and her children), this selfish behaviour drives me to distraction. If you feed the dog then you have a duty to clean up what it produces at the other end. It's not just the dog mess tho is it? What about the litter problem? I was picking up lager cans (presumably not from a dog), sweet wrappers and plastic carrier bags from the Rec only last week. The same applies to Radford Park. Whatever is wrong with us Brits that we seem to have no pride in our surroundings? Whenever we go abroad we are struck by how clean and litter-free everything is - even in areas swarming with Brits on holiday. It doesn't make sense.

Re: poo - John (20th Aug 2011 - 19:36:50) Banning dogs from the rec is unfair. I take my kids to the park and my dog comes with me. He loves to run around the field whilst the kids play in the park. I always clean his poos. Why should my dog not be allowed to join us and do what he loves because of disrespectful dog owners who dont pick it up? If signs are put up banning dogs i will not obey, and i will find it offensive.

Re: poo - helen (20th Aug 2011 - 20:04:46) In places like spainish resorts the local councils employ a sweeper to go around the streets every day, this I have seen in most places, it is not just the residents who take more care there is more time and energy expended by the local authorities on cleaning the strreets every day.

Re: poo - Thea (20th Aug 2011 - 21:46:05) Thanks for all your replies. My instinct isn't to ban dogs, execpt in the gated areas, but make it really clear that it is unacceptable for people to let their dogs foul without picking up afterwards. This would probably require lots more signs and people being prepared to talk to people after a dog has fouled. I have done so myself before - very politely - and always assuming they simply failed to notice! My husband suggested I leave my little boys boots and clothes for people to see - and perhaps that would prick a few consciences, but I couldn't let any other child run the risk of being similarly smeared.

Re: poo - charlie (20th Aug 2011 - 22:00:27) I took my two to the new playground this morning (they loved it) but I noticed loads of dog mess too. I was going to walk accross the pitch to the Haslemere road and let them have a run about but the dog poo issue changed my mind. Please Dawn Hoskins can you advise? Can Dogs be banned from the park area? I saw a lady let her dog off the lead whilst we were there and do it's business by the railings, then she strolled off without cleaning up. I was too far away to get her attention. (apologies to the spelling police in advance! I don't really like posting on here for fear of your comments!) Charlie.

Re: poo - Rosie (20th Aug 2011 - 23:51:43) I fully understand that many people consider their dogs are part of their family and therefore like to take them to join in activities. However the Rec is what is says, it is for recreation and the Rec has been laid out for two play parks, football, cricket and also has two playschools close by. The priority should be in keeping it in a clean condition for those using it. I also think it is quite difficult to supervise children in the playpark and watch what one's dog is doing as it is left to run around the field (as one contributor commented). In addition many children are afraid of free running dogs. How about a sign that says dogs must be kept on a lead and owners must clear up their mess.

Re: poo - claire (21st Aug 2011 - 07:31:44) I walk my dog around the rec in the mornings as we pass through as part of a longer walk. I pick up any poop i see even though my dog hasn't produced it! I think as a collective group of responsible liphook dog owners we should do that to preserve our priviledge of walking there. There is also a huge amount of fox poop too , there is currently a vixen with second litter of 3 , fox poop is darker and currently full of blackberry seeds! There is also a large hedgehog who leaves(huge!!) deposits on the top bank , i think it goes there to feed on picnic left overs. I always approach people who fail to pick up and offer a bag. A lot of the time it is non- focussed owners , strolling along with their dog 15 yards behind them (so not a clue what they are doing!) Maybe a 'dogs must be on leads' might help? A ban would be sad to see however if the problem does not improve i don't see what the alternative is as we have to keep the pitches and playareas clean and safe . ****dog owners , nappy sacks are 9p per 100 in sainsburys , a lot cheaper than poo bags!!***

Re: poo - A. Ryan (21st Aug 2011 - 09:01:07) I use bread bags, a good deal thicker too ! As these have to be thrown away anyway it makes sense. I have three dogs, and the bags can hold a lot !! People that are squeamish should not have dogs. I am assuming these people changed nappies when they had babies ?

Re: poo - Rosie (21st Aug 2011 - 10:01:25) Well said Claire! I know the majority of dog owners are responsible and as always it is the few who aren't that make people angry so we have knee-jerk reactions. Maybe banning dogs entirely from the Rec is extreme (although I do think they should be kept out of the fenced play area). I would however like to see a sign saying 'dogs to be kept on a lead' and also 'take your litter home'.

Re: poo - Jay (21st Aug 2011 - 18:15:37) I think there always used to be a sign to say that dogs were not allowed inside the fenced area - a good idea, protection from uncollected deposits and for those children who are afraid of dogs. It would be a shame to ban them completely from the Rec. They could be walked there on extending leads. Can we do the same for the irresponsible litter louts as well? I'd be quite happy to avoid the Rec with my dog and exercise him (on really wet days when Radford is too muddy) on the small area of grass near the skate park but it's usually littered with all manner of unsavoury objects and I can't risk him cutting his paws or eating something dodgy. I don't fancy picking up other people's dog deposits - it's a bit like nappies - ok when it's your own family but bleurghk when it's someone else's. Happy to offer a bag tho and hand sanitiser too!

Re: poo - Matthew (21st Aug 2011 - 18:30:30) Ban dogs from the Rec and Millenium park NOW. Dog owners cannot self regulate themselves. Imagine if I took a dump on a dog owners drive? No, would not happen- because it is disgusting. Also, I don't want my kids to see dog owners walking round with little bags of steaming ****s. Today there was a guy actually de-furring his dog on a bench at the millenium park. Gross. Who is up for starting a petition to the village council?

Re: poo - John (21st Aug 2011 - 19:44:54) Dont ban dogs thats unfair! Why not have regular inspectors turn up and fine those not clearing it up! Or set up cctv with big signs warning people they will be fined if they dont pick up. Also, ive never seen a dog inside the play area and me and my girlfriend regularly take the kids and the dog to the park. The kids play in the park with their mum, and dog plays fetch with dad on the field.

Re: poo - kayleigh (21st Aug 2011 - 20:36:28) ok i agree with if you have a dog you should clean up after them (i always do) but this issue is all round the village,the millenium green is just as bad as the rec.This has lots of people on it aswell when the weather is great but there is lots of mess (poo and litter) on here too.There is signs up saying that dogs should be kept on their leads but not many do this so putting signs up at the rec may not work either, i think the only way to keep on top of this situation is to have a warden do laps of the village each day and fine anyone who does not clean up after their dog.

Re: poo - eb (21st Aug 2011 - 20:42:56) seems like somebody doesnt like dogs, we cant do right from wrong those of us that do pick up, are we then suposed to pop the bag in our pocket so your kids dont see it! i dont usually have steam coming out of my bags though, but it does make me cross aswell when people dont pick up it would be good to have a warden as radford is getting worse aswell.

Re: poo - Rosie (21st Aug 2011 - 20:44:59) I think banning dogs from the Rec would be unfair on the responsible dog owners who I am sure are in the majority. But I would support requesting signs for \'dogs on leads\' and \'take your litter home\'. (I don\'t actually like the dustbin too close to the play park as it attracts wasps which I hate, but I\'m not suggesting that it\'s taken away). With all the cuts in Council expenditure there is no point in requesting CCTV cameras and lots of visits from dog wardens (the chances of catching someone in the act are probably extremely remote). Nor of having a dog litter bin as it has to be emptied (more cost) and if it gets full then people tend to just leave their little bags at the base (yuk). We have a responsibility to do our part too. So setting a good example and having a quiet but firm word with the offenders, who may not even realise the effects of their laziness, might be a good starting point.

Re: poo - helen (22nd Aug 2011 - 00:36:33) I think it is extreme < Matthew's post>to think children should not have to see a dog poo bag or someone defurring a dog. Children will have to see far worse things as they go through life, you cannot shelter them from that. To me seeing mothers changing nappies in public is just as bad, do your children ever see a nappy being changed Matthew? If dogs are not allowed in public parks, then owners who do not clear up after them there will not bother to clear up after their dog anywhere, and that could be outside your house Matthew! Also as bad as dog poo is finding detritus left ny humans, needles etc broken glass, sick etc.

Re: poo - Anne (23rd Aug 2011 - 07:18:03) Why not put up signs warning owners will be fined for not cleaning up their dog's poo and ask the local dog wardend to make regular, random visits to monitor? I know it will not completley get rid of the problem but it is a start

Re: poo - Rosie (23rd Aug 2011 - 21:40:07) Apparently there are some 8 million dogs in this country, now that's a scary lot of daily poo! But to focus on the problem in the Rec and also the millenium Green and around Liphook. It is a lengthy process to get dogs banned or to designate areas where dogs have to be kept on leads. Plus it is difficult to enforce so that is probably a non-starter. We can ask for notices to be displayed reminding owners that it is an offence not to clear up after their dogs (£50 up to a maximum of £1,000 I believe). The council will log details of culprits (name, address, date, time and whereabouts of any fouling incidents) if people have the information and feel concerned enough to write in. Maybe we could have dog walkers who can monitor certain areas. Any volunteers? An extension of the current (we assume) Street Watch scheme ?

Re: poo - charlie (5th Sep 2011 - 14:02:45) This morning, sat in my car on Tower Road I watched a young girl (In Bohunt uniform) walking a large black and white dog. The dog did a huge poo on the pavement. Great I thought to myself as I watched the girl take a nappy sack from her pocket and start to clean up the mess. My delight soon turned to disgust when she tied the bag up and walked away leaving half of the mess in the middle of the pavement. I quickly stopped her and pointed out that she had left half the mess for people to walk through; she told me she didn’t have another bag. I looked in my car but couldn’t find anything for her to use. In the end I found a latex glove and provided it for her to scoop the reminder of the mess in to the bag she had half used. Very sweetly having handled the poo using the provided glove she offered it back to me! I am continually annoyed with the dog poo issues in Liphook, I am sick of scraping it off my shoes, children shoes, pram wheels etc and I doubt I am alone. Please, please, please can all dog walkers clean up after their pets and if you are entrusting your animal to a child or dog walker then ensure they are fully aware of the need to clean up. I’m so very sick of this problem.

Re: poo - Nick (5th Sep 2011 - 18:10:39) There are notices attached to lamp posts in Headley road they were put up prior to new year 2010 .Unfortunatley they are too high too see{ about 7ft i think } a dog cant read so how do you expect the owner to be able to read the sign as well. Mind you he/or she shouild make sure of cleaning up after the dog/cat(it is known for cats to be walked as well) I never let my dog off the lead unless in a secure area and no one else around why? he is a chow chow the most stubborn and aloof dog i have ever had .Cleaning up after him is a doddle tho But taking him our isnt Some dog owners havent a clue if another dog is on a lead he is under control so they should reciprocate by controlling there dog I

Re: poo - matthew (7th Sep 2011 - 21:38:47) Ban Dogs in Liphook. Simples. Who is up for starting a petition?

Re: poo - helen (8th Sep 2011 - 00:46:02) I hope Matthew's post was tongue in cheek= if not why not add cats they roam freely and poo in peoples gardens, oh and horses too they poo on the bridleways footpaths and common areas?

Annual Poo Debate - Mike Grimes (9th Sep 2011 - 11:19:28) I think dogs should be banned from multi-story car parks. It's wrong on so many levels. (apologies to Tim Vine)

Re: poo - liz (9th Sep 2011 - 13:44:14) You wouldn't be poo-pooing this thread would you Mike?

Re: poo - Eneida (9th Sep 2011 - 16:05:53) Nick, I can't wait to see a cat being walked down the Headley Road lol

Re: poo - Nick (10th Sep 2011 - 17:43:44) I would not consider a cat on a lead as for taking any animal down Headley road is a no no for me to Dangerous having to avoid the poo and the speeding vehicles

Re: poo - Eneida (10th Sep 2011 - 19:20:53) Well Nick I wouldn't consider taking a cat for a walk on a lead either...although I have seen it done in some cities in Europe were most people live in flats... As far as the Headley Road is concerned, I think you've moved into the realms of silliness!! I've been walking up and down this road for the last 10 years or so and have very rarely seen any poo to speak of and the cars don't go any faster than in any other main road in Liphook.

Re: poo - nick (11th Sep 2011 - 10:57:58) Silly maybe but that is another matter (type in speeding in search and see the comments made at that time)

Re: poo - Diana (11th Sep 2011 - 15:37:37) Just as a matter of interest our cat is trained to go for walks on a lead as were our previous 2 cats. Well away from traffic and dogs. I say walk, but the cat dictates the terms. Years ago we had a couple of rabbits who would go for walks on harness and lead. Neither created any poo.

Re: poo - Caroline (12th Sep 2011 - 16:42:02) Enida - curious to know how you have never seen dog poo on the Headley Road - we are dodging it most days on the school run!

Re: poo - Eneida (12th Sep 2011 - 17:50:59) I didn't say 'I've never seen poo'...I said I've never seen very much!! If every time I walked from my house to the Square and back, I was having to navigate through piles of the stuff, as seemed to have been suggested by Nick, I would have been the first person to post here and complain about it, believe me. I'm not one who is known for being backwards in coming forwards when something annoys me...

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