Sir,
I'm writing on behalf of the children of Tenby Junior School and the school's health and safety committee in the hope that you will print this letter in the next edition.
Over the last few weeks we have had to clear dog mess from our playing fields nearly every day. The playing fields are used by the children daily for playtime and their games lessons. As well as the danger of them becoming infected with toxocara canis (from dog excrement), which can lead to blindness, there is also the distress for them of becoming covered in dog excrement as they run and play on the playing fields.
We realise there is a public right of way through the bottom of our field and in the neighbouring Greenhill School field, but that does not make either of those fields a public dog toilet. Most dog owners are responsible and clean up after their dogs, but unfortunately there are others who do not, and their selfish actions are putting the health of the children at risk.
C. Condon,
Deputy Headteacher,
Tenby Junior
Community School,
Heywood Lane,
Tenby.