Concerns raised over dog fouling near St Ethelwolds Primary School

Councillors have expressed their outrage over irresponsible dog owners leaving excrement on the pathway between St Ethelwolds School in Shotton and Deeside hospital.

Cllr Ron Davies said: “I am appalled at the amount of dog fouling on the footpath. On occasion the pupils are getting it on their shoes and carrying it into school.

“Flintshire County Council are not to blame, they have the filthy job of cleaning it up.

“If anyone sees the people not cleaning after their dogs, for the sake of the children, please report them to FCC with their names. Please, this information will of course be confidential, or if they can call me on 07786570591.

“For the sake of your children, this has to stop. I am appealing to the minority of dog owners to please clean up after their dogs.”

Cllr Davies said he has reported the issue to Streetscene on a number of occasions and enforcement officers will monitor the area to catch ‘irresponsible dog owners who really don’t care’.

Cllr David Evans said this is an issue across many areas in Shotton, including many schools.

Pupil Alex Harris, on the school’s eco council, said: “It’s embarrassing walking into school when you’ve walked in it, it makes us feel embarrassed because people can see, and it smells. I try to avoid it and then I tell someone to move it because I don’t want to move it.”

Cllr Gary Cooper added: “They have no respect for public health or the health of the children. You know what it’s like, we have all done it but when kids tread in it, it’s dangerous.”

Staff and pupils said they were tired of trying to avoid the issue and having to be ‘humiliated’ when they tread in it.

Headteacher Paul Oliver said: “It’s disgusting. We have had, quite rightly, parents complaining about children treading into dog muck on their way to school.

“It’s pretty humiliating for the children but parents have to clean shoes and clothes. It’s getting trodden into the school and not only do they have to deal with it, but other children do too because of the smell.

“It’s a problem that can easily be solved. I have got dogs and it’s easy to do. I don’t think people see the consequences of when their dog fouls somewhere, but there are consequences. Especially for young children.”

Pupils on the eco council said they were trying to come up with solutions to help the issue. Ella Grey suggested more litter bins for dog fouling, adding: “It annoys me sometimes when I see a lot of it. I think people really don’t care and they just take their dogs out without being prepared.”

Kimberley Altmann said: “I think when they are walking dogs they should keep an eye on their dog because they do their businesses and I think they should make sure they clean it up. It’s not nice for the children.”