Rugby players felled by dog fouling

Park Farm has been identified as one of two sporting hotspots in the town which are being plagued by thoughtless owners.
A spokesman from Dumfries Saints Rugby Club said: “We’ve had players become unwell thanks to irresponsible dog owners.
“Clearly, rugby is a game played on the grass, involving a lot of sliding and tackling at ground level.”
The spokesman added: “People should not be exposed to dog mess whilst enjoying some leisure time.
“We’re working with the community safety officers to hopefully put an end to this disgusting problem we have here at Park Farm.”
More than 50 fines were handed out in the last part of 2016 at Park Farm and also at Maryfield.
That location is home to Heston Rovers FC, and communities committee vice chairman Councillor John Martin said: “Maryfield is one of the main open space areas that I cover in my local ward, and is by far and away one of the main routes of complaints I receive at surgeries and via phone and email.
“Children as young as four years old train on these pitches every week, and yet dog owners feel it is acceptable to not clean up after their dog.
“These dog owners should be fined for this deplorable behaviour, and I am pleased they’re being hit with the £80 fines.”
Both locations have public footpaths running through them, but Dumfries and Galloway Council say irresponsible dog owners let their pets off the lead in those wide open grass areas – allowing the dogs to foul on the grass pitches of both clubs.
Appealing for help, communities committee chairman Councillor Tom McAughtrie said: “We need the public’s help with catching perpetrators – names, descriptions of dogs, times, etc.
“We would urge the public to name and shame those they believe responsible, directly to the community safety Team.
“Any information we receive is treated in the strictest of confidence and never divulged, but it is invaluable in allowing us to dedicate patrols in a certain area at a certain time to hopefully then catch those responsible.”