GWYNEDD COUNCIL is encouraging dog owners to ensure they clean up after their furry friends and play their part in ensuring their communities are safe and pleasant places to live in.

Council officials say that, as we face a hugely challenging period and the time we are able to spend outside is restricted, it is now more important than ever that each of us take responsibility for our local environment.

Gwynedd Council’s Highways and Municipal Cabinet Member, Councillor Catrin Wager, said: “We are living through a very difficult time, and going outside for a walk with the dog will be of great comforts for many owners.

“As a dog owner myself, I know how much joy a dog can bring to a household. Dogs are valuable members of the family, and contribute towards the wellbeing of their owners.

“But with that comes responsibility, and while the majority of people do their best to keep the streets clean through the Coronavirus crisis, some irresponsible owners are causing distress.

“Our Street Enforcement Team specifically received complaints about some of our public footpaths and ‘lonydd glas’ recreational routes. We ask owners to be sensible – there’s no excuse not to clean up after your dog, especially now that we only can go out once a day to exercise.

“So we ask owners to make sure that they act responsibly. There are many dog waste bins available near public footpaths and it’s possible to dispose of dog waste bags in other public bins.”

Many dogs are infected with parasites which can be harmful to people, especially children. Toxocariasis is a disease caused when the eggs of toxocara worms are transferred from dogs to people through infected dog mess or soil. Infection can lead to serious illness and even blindness.

In Gwynedd it is a criminal offence to fail to clean up after a dog has fouled. It is also an offence to take a dog onto designated children’s play areas, school grounds, sports pitches and certain beaches (April-September). Offenders are liable to receive a £100 fixed penalty, with failure to pay potentially leading to a court summons and a fine of up to £1,000.

To report a particular concern about dog fouling, go to www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/dogfouling

You can also can email streetenforcement@gwynedd.llyw.cymru , or if you don’t have internet access you can us on 01766 771000 – but we do note that the amount of calls we receive is higher than usual which means a longer wait than usual.