A SCHEME to tackle dog fouling in a Thornbury play area has fallen through and due to selfish dog owners who refuse to clean up their pet’s mess a call has now been made for the animals to be banned from the area altogether.


The message is simple and yet many dog owners seem oblivious to it.


Owning a dog is a huge responsibility and when a few dog owners become irresponsible many have to pay the price.


A play area should entice and encourage friends and family to socialise in an active environment – without fear of coming across dog excrement.


With children of all ages naturally drawn to the play area, it a recipe for disaster when discourteous dog owners walk away.

These guilty owners also ruin the reputation of fellow canine lovers who obey the rules.

For many, clearing up is second nature and a non-negotiable consequence of owning an animal.


When members of the town council’s playing fields and cemeteries committee hear from the South Gloucestershire dog warden at a meeting next month, it is hoped that suitable action will be taken to solve the issue.


Although a ban is just a suggestion at this point, if imposed, innocent dog owners will be punished for a crime they did not commit.


There is still hope that the guilty parties will change their ways, although with the ongoing problem it seems ambitious to believe so.