TEIGNMOUTH town councillors are getting tough on dog owners who do not clean up after their pets in Bitton Park.
The cleaning up Bitton Park blitz has been agreed after the town council engaged The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) to carry out a safety inspection of the park.
The inspection identified dog mess as the biggest risk prompting the council to take action which is coming into effect soon.
A council spokesman stressed: ‘Bitton Park is a family park and enjoyed by many people in our community but this serious problem needs to be addressed to ensure everyone’s safety, otherwise the council may have to look at closing the park to dog walkers which would be a last resort.
‘What is the problem with dog mess?
‘Humans can catch toxocariasis, a rare infection caused by roundworm parasites, from handling soil or sand contaminated with infected animal faeces.
‘Generally, toxocariasis is more common in children and young adults.’
The spokesman described possible signs and symptoms: For the majority of people, an infection with these roundworm larvae causes no symptoms and the parasites die within a few months.
However, some people experience mild symptoms such as a cough, headaches, stomach pain.
In rare cases, the roundworm larvae infect organs such as the liver, lungs, eyes or brain and cause severe symptoms.
So what action will be taken?
The council will be putting up signs at all entrances to the park in the next couple of weeks.
In April, Teignbridge Council will be doing an enforcement blitz in the park.
‘The town council hopes all members of the public will join us in helping to keep Bitton Park a safe and clean place for everyone’s enjoyment,’ said the spokesman.