Members of a youth football team in Burnham-On-Sea have this week urged dog owners to take more responsibility for their pets after repeated problems with mess on their pitch.
Every week before Burnham United Junior Football Club Under 8s play, the coaches have to spend 30 minutes clearing up mess from their pitch, which is located next to the Burnham Area Youth Centre in Cassis Close.
Amid fears that someone could become seriously ill, manager Mike Osborne told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We know the vast majority of dog owners are very responsible, and clear up after their pets, but a minority of dog owners do not seem to care.”
“They are showing a complete lack of consideration for the health and safety of our young footballers.”
“We would like to see two things – dog owners taking full responsibility for their pets and clearing up after them, and the council being pro-active in its enforcement.”
Sedgemoor District Council’s Dog Wardens have recently been targeting public areas with known dog fouling problems around Burnham and Highbridge and have the power to issue fines to dog owners.
Fixed penalty notices – costing £50 – can be issued to those who do not clear up after their dogs and if they are not paid within seven days, these rise to £75.
Pictured: Burnham United Under 8s players Riley, Mike, Charlie and Harry holding their noses at the end of their latest match
