MORE people have come forward expressing their disgust over dog waste being left on football pitches used by children.

Simon Secretan, chairman of Leigh and Bransford Badgers Football Club whose members play over two pitches in Hospital Lane, Powick, said: “Dog fouling is a big issue on the pitches which we have to deal with.

“Our site is used by the under 12s and each Saturday, before the kids play, volunteers have to walk the pitches inspection for any dog mess.

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“What annoys me is that the people who do it probably have kids and some of them could even be playing on this pitch.

“We’ve made our own sign warning dog walkers of the issue (see picture) and we keep a number of how many dog poos we’ve found to shame the walkers.

“For example, during our last inspection, we found four.

“I can’t blame the dogs as they don’t know any better it’s the owners I’m annoyed with.”

Some owners who do manage to bag the mess, throw the bags into nearby bushes at the side of the pitches.

Mr Secretan added: “I’ve collected around 100 dog bags full of poo.

“They’ve gone to the trouble of picking it up but why then throw it into the bushes?”

It is a criminal offence for a dog owner not to clear their dog’s waste in a public place.

Under the Public Space Protection Order (2018) a penalty can be issued of up to £1000.

If it goes before a court, a maximum fine of £1000 can be handed down.

We reported on Wednesday of dog mess being found on the Plovers Rise pitch used by Kempsey Colts FC, who have members as young as seven.

Club chairman Nev Campbell, aged 34, blamed the dark nights for creating an environment in which dog walkers cannot be seen letting their dogs mess.

Mr Campbell, along with his team, also inspects the pitch before each game.

Worcester News readers have taken our Facebook page to give their views.

Penny Jane said on Facebook: “My dog stays on her lead in places like this.

“Partly due to not having the best recall and partly due to not always being able to see when she has a number two while off the lead.”

Wayne Jones said: “It’s not just public playing fields it’s majority of the estates and streets.”