Colwyn Bay schools unite in fight against dog mess

Feb 4 2010 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

Doreen James and Mike Mulraney

TWO HEAD teachers say a disgusting amount of dog muck outside their school gates is a threat to children’s health.

The headteachers at Ysgol Pendorlan and Ysgol Glan-y-Mor Road in Colwyn Bay say the mess on Greenfield Road as well as Lawson Road and the Dingle is both a hazard and a nuisance.

Ysgol Pendorlan head Mike Mulvaney has resorted to taking a hose to the pavements outside his school, while Ysgol Glan-y-Mor head Doreen James says the problem is set to be discussed by the board of governors.

Mr Mulvaney complained: “I had to clear it up the other day – it is a significant health hazard when the offending person lets the dog go outside entrances and it gets trawled into the yard and school.

“We are forever having to ring environmental health and the dog warden. We rang them on three occasions last week – I had to go out with the hose!”

Mrs Doreen James is the headmistress at Ysgol Glan-y-Mor and added: “We took the whole school on a walk the week before last and we had to walk in a single line (to avoid the dog muck). Immediately we went out of the school gates there was dog muck.

“When we came back and a few of the children had it on their shoes we had to clean their shoes, which wasn’t very nice. I don’t want the children walking in it and touching their shoes, it is a health hazard and can cause blindness. If you own a dog it is your responsibility to clean up after it.”

A parent of a child at Ysgol Glan-y-Mor is also on the board of governors and agreed: “The dog mess is disgusting, it really is, it is a problem and is has been mentioned at the governors’ meetings. A lot of parents complain about it, I’ve had my own son walk in it. I’m a dog owner and always pick up after my dog.”

Mark Evans, 31, lives nearby and walks his two dogs Lady and Holly on Greenfield Road and Lawson Road every day: “It is horrendous, there is dog muck all over the place,” he said.

“It is on Lawson Road and Greenfield Road, I walk my dogs on the Dingle every day and where you come up by Ysgol Pendorlan it is terrible.

“I’ve got two dogs and I always clear up after my dogs. I’ve got an 11-year-old nephew and when we take him to school there is mess all over the place – it’s a hazard to children.”

A spokeswoman for Conwy County Council confirmed complaints had been received and the dog warden had been informed.

Conwy’s Cabinet Member for Corporate and Regulatory Services, Cllr Philip Evans, warned dog foulers would be dealt with if caught.

“Such thoughtlessness and disregard of others will not be tolerated,” he said.

“If members of the public report that you have not cleaned up after your dog, you could get a visit at home from the dog warden and a £75 fine. Clean up after your dog or we’ll fine you, get caught a second time and we’ll prosecute.”