There is no poo fairy If you need a poop bag please take one
Attention all dog owners! When your dog has done its business, please do yours!
When it comes to marking territory, it’s a dog-eat-dog world out there. With every poop, your dog is leaving their personal mark for other dogs to check out. Now, imagine if every dog parent left their dog’s calling card where it dropped. Pavements, parks, paths, and front lawns would be littered with poop.Scraping off shoes was a normal occurrence back in the 60s but should not be so now. Toxic with parasites and bacteria, dog poo creates long-term problems for animals, people, and even ecosystems.
So, let’s talk about some of the dog poop problems and why such a small thing is such a big deal and how we personally can help change things for the better.
Dog waste poses significant risks to biodiversity and public health. Contrary to belief, adding dog poop to soil does not benefit nutrient-poor ecosystems.
The effect multiplies with many dogs, creating serious environmental issues. Waste washed into waterways uses up oxygen, releases ammonia, and encourages harmful algae blooms, which can kill aquatic life and pose risks to pets and humans through pathogens like roundworms and salmonella.
Dog waste can cause blindness in humans, particularly children, through a parasitic infection called toxocariasis. Roundworm eggs (Toxocara canis) in dog faeces contaminate soil or sand, and if ingested, can hatch larvae that migrate to the eye, causing severe damage or blindness. Regular, immediate cleanup of pet waste is essential to prevent this risk.
Notably, dog faeces have been linked to livestock miscarriages due to parasites, and human infections can cause severe health problems, especially in children who play outdoors. Wild animals spread their waste across wide areas within their habitat, while dogs concentrate nutrient-rich droppings from commercial food in sensitive natural spaces.
The solution is simple: you can help by always picking up after your dog to protect the environment, wildlife, and public health.
The parish council has installed a free doggy poop bag post at the end of North Road as a trial for those people who forget to have a bag in their pocket. It is for a trial period and if there's a noticeable improvement the trial can be extended with more posts around the village. The bags are currently being re-filled weekly but will be more frequent if needed.
11th February 2026