Mum raises health fears over dogs fouling children's play area

DOG fouling enforcement notices have finally been posted up in the Abbots Langley area, following a series of phone calls made to the council by a mother concerned for the safety of her child.

Miss Kim Capocci, 30, of Helston Place, Abbots Langley, complained to the council four weeks ago expressing her concerns regarding the number of dogs that were being allowed to foul the Green in front of her house.

The council-owned Green in Helston Place, situated at the end of Shirley Road and surrounded by ten houses, has been a playground for children in the neighbourhood for more than 30 years.

In recent months, however, the children's enjoyment of the site has been affected by dogs' faeces.

Miss Capocci, who works for the BBC's political department, said the recent abuse of the Green was unacceptable.

She added: 'I have nothing against dogs, but my daughter Ellie is only one and I fear for her health when playing on the Green.'

Miss Capocci's initial fears relate to the risk connected with Toxocariasis, an infection which can be contracted by children from the worm eggs found in the faeces of cats and dogs.

When she first contacted Three Rivers District Council, Miss Capocci said she was told there was no real risk to her child's health, and that the council could do nothing to ban dogs from the area.

But on Monday, the area surrounding the Green was posted with fine enforcement notices - although Miss Capocci said she is unhappy the signs do not mention the potential danger to children, which she feels would deter dog owners more than a £1,000 fine.

She added: 'People are always prepared to take the risk, and while the fine is quite high, I do not think it will stop dog owners from letting their dogs foul the Green.

'We need a sign that states 'Children play here, please refrain from allowing your dog to foul the Green.''

Miss Capocci, who has offered to pay for the sign, has collected signatures for a petition supporting this view from the residents of the ten houses surrounding the site.

Another resident of Helston Place said she encountered verbal abuse from a dog owner, when she asked him to stop allowing his dog to foul the area.

She added: 'How can dog owners be expected to clean up after their pets, when there are no dog litter bins supplied by the council in the area?'

Three Rivers District Council said they would enforce fines on any dog owners they see allowing their pets to foul the Green. A spokesman said the authority was aware of the risks involved with the Toxocariasis infection.

Three Rivers District Council have since made enquiries into this complaint, and have sent an animal and dog control officer to observe the sight.

Picture T304119: DAVE HERRING

Miss Capocci said: 'They said that there was nothing they could do, as they did not have the right to stop dogs using the green, regardless of the number of children who play there.'

A spokesman from Three Rivers District Council denies claims that they refused to do anything about the complaint explaining how they are

They said that they would normally send a pest control officer out to observe the sight, but that at this moment in time, the position is vacant and they are therefore understaffed in this department.