Islington Council and national charity the Dogs Trust ran a 'Dog day in the park' at Highbury Fields on Friday 12 May, to remind local dog owners of the importance of cleaning up after their dogs.
Local resident Joy Morgan said: "I think it's really important for dog owners to take responsibility for cleaning up after their dogs. I really can't understand why a person wouldn't clean up after their dog when you know the harm that it can do, especially when you see how many children are playing here in Highbury Fields."
Dog owners at the event learnt that dog fouling spreads toxicariasis, which can lead to blindness and is spread through direct contact with soil contaminated with faeces.
Dog walkers can dispose of their pets' faeces in dog pooh bins in green areas, in street litterbins and in dog pooh bags that can be disposed of at home.
It is an offence for a person in charge of a dog not to remove any faeces deposited by a dog in their charge. Officers may issue Fixed Penalty tickets incurring a fine of £50; dog owners can also be prosecuted and fined as much as £1,000.
Toxicariasis affects an estimated 16,000 UK residents every year. It causes 50 cases of serious eye infection and even blindness every year, with young children in particular at risk.
Clarissa Baldwin, Chief Executive of the Dogs Trust added: "At Dogs Trust we believe every dog owner has a responsibility to pick up after their dog. It's such a shame that a small number of owners put dogs in a bad light, as there are millions of responsible owners and well-behaved dogs out there."
ends
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008