‘Bag it and bin it,’ says playgroup

Young children and play leaders at Syke Community Preschool Playgroup are appealing to dog owners to pick up dog poo so they can play outside safely

A Rochdale playgroup is pleading with dog owners to ‘bag it and bin it’ so children are no longer exposed to the health risks associated with dog fouling.

The appeal by Syke Community Preschool Playgroup comes as Rochdale Borough Council launched its Foul Play campaign at the start of September to crackdown on dog fouling.

The children at the playgroup go for their outdoor playtime on Cronkeyshaw Common, but before they’re allowed to play, leader Lindsay Fleming has to go out and pick up any dog mess left lying around so the children can play safely.

Ms Fleming explains: “Before letting the children onto the common I have to do a risk assessment and every single time I pick up lots of dog mess.

“Our priority is to make sure the children can play safely, but it really shouldn’t be my job to pick up dog mess when it’s the owners’ responsibility. It’s not fair on us or the children as these people are literally putting children’s health at risk.”

The dog fouling nuisance suffered by the Syke playgroup echoes the plight of many local people not just in the Rochdale borough, but all over the country.

Councillor David Clayton, Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure explains why the people of Rochdale need to take a stand against dog fouling and show the culprits the red card: “I don’t know how guilty dog owners can sleep at night knowing children use areas such as Cronkeyshaw Common to play. If they fall in it and get it in their eye they could loose their sight.

“I urge local people to report anyone they see failing to pick up their dog’s mess. Even if you don’t know who they are or where they live, the more people who come forward with information describing the owner, the dog and where they saw the offence happen, the more chance our enforcement team can piece together information to identify the culprits.”

To report ‘Foul Play’ visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/foulplay or call 0845 226 1800. Or speak to an advisor at your nearest council customer service centre. All information given will be treated in strict confidence.