Stafford Borough Council and footballers have teamed up to show the red card to inconsiderate dog owners who allow their pets to foul pitches.
The authority, along with Staffordshire FA and local leagues, have come up with a novel initiative to send a warning to dog walkers to prevent their pooches pooping on the pitches.
The council has already run a series of high profile campaigns to clamp down on the unpleasant and antisocial behaviour, and were approached by frustrated soccer bosses who were fed up with irresponsible owners.
Players have been forced to leave the game, and on occasion matches have had to be stopped altogether due to the problem. Parents have also expressed their concerns over the health risks to youngsters caused by coming into contact with the mess.
The council has launched its own version of the crossbar challenge, which will see banners flown from between the sticks at a number of grounds across the borough, instructing people to keep their pets off the playing area. Similar warnings will be on corner flags and plans are also in place to include messages in white line marker near to the pitch area.
This latest campaign will be dedicated to around a dozen local authority run grounds, including Stone’s Westbridge Park.
The scheme has the backing of the Mid Staffs Junior League and Stafford and District Sunday Football League.
Councillor Frank Finlay, the borough council’s Cabinet member for Environment and Health, said “I think it’s disgusting that someone can be so inconsiderate and anti-social that they would let their dog foul a football pitch. Not only is the mess horrible to get off kit or boots, or the fact it could ruin a game, this is a health hazard, especially to young players.”
“The public have backed our zero tolerance stance on inconsiderate dog owners, and this latest scheme is one of a number of initiatives we have introduced to try and reduce this antisocial menace.”
“The majority of dog owners are very responsible and clean up after their pets, but as always, it is the inconsiderate minority who give all a bad name.”
The borough council has issued £75 penalties to two offenders over the last few weeks.
Football Development Officer at Staffs FA, Gareth Thomas, said “Working in partnership with Stafford Borough Council, Stafford and District Sunday League and the Mid Staffs Junior League, we are hopeful this initiative will have a positive impact on grassroots football across the borough. We work closely with all leagues and local authorities across the county to try and ensure that all adult and youth players have the best experience possible when playing football – the issue of dog fouling on council pitches across the borough has clearly had a negative impact on that experience for many players.”
“Having listened to the concerns raised by the two leagues and numerous clubs at a meeting held earlier this year, we have all worked in partnership to roll out this initiative which we hope will raise awareness, and result in teams not having to clean up dog foul prior to the game – or in some unpleasant cases last season – players falling in dog excrement during the game, which I think everyone would agree is completely unacceptable.”
Councillor Mike Smith, Cabinet Member for Leisure, said “The message to dog owners is simple – please don’t let your pets foul on our pitches. If it was not clear before, it certainly is now – with these new banners hanging from cross bars and message on the corner flags.”
He added there was plenty of room around the parks for people to walk their dogs without going on to the pitches – but stressed the need to always clean up after your dog.
You can contact the council to give information on anyone not cleaning up after their dogs on dogs@staffordbc.gov.uk, or by calling 01785 619402. More details about dog fouling can be found at www.staffordbc.gov.uk/dogs as well as information on all the outlets which supply the free dog poo bags.
