Old Penarthians ask dog walkers pick up your dog poo

Instances of sporting clubs having to deal with the scourge of dog poo are becoming more and more frequent.

Most recently, rugby club Old Penarthians posted a “polite request to dogwalkers” to clean up after their pets.

In September, the parent of a six-year-old at Barry Rugby Club posted a photo of their child having finished playing a game of rugby, with a big chunk of dog poo on their shoulder.

Back in May, chairman of Penarth Cricket Club Mark Frost made an impassioned plea to dog walkers to keep off the pitch at Penarth Athletic Field so that men, women and children enjoying cricket, football or rounders, do not end up with muck on their perfectly white whites.

It irked Mr Frost so much he went all the way to the BBC’s Dot Davies’ radio show to make the point that people need to clear up after their pets.

In the latest instance, Old Penarthians posted a message on their Instagram on Sunday, October 15, saying there has already been several instances of dog mess mucking up proceedings this season.

Old Penarthians said: “We are making a huge plea to all local dog walkers to please take responsibility for your dogs when walking them at Cwrt-y-Vil and clear up after them.

“Already this season we have had several incidents involving players (both adult and children) due to mess left on the pitches.”

Dog mess on a Barry Rugby Club player's jersey after a game (Image: Facebook)

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A post shared by Old Penarthians RFC (@oldpenarthiansrfc)

Back in May, Mr Frost went into excruciating (for this reporter) detail about picking up dog mess and how, even when people do, they often don’t get everything…

Mr Frost said this was affecting kids’ enthusiasm to take up sport.

“Think, if you’re a kid who has just taken up the game and you come across dog mess, it’s going to put you off that experience,” he said.

Chairman of Penarth Cricket Club Mark Frost (Image: Newsquest)

Are you picking up after your pet? (Image: Supplied)

Mr Frost urged people, don’t walk on the pitch.

“Please keep dogs on the lead and if there are boundary lines, please do not go over them.”

The Old Penarthians echoed this statement while saying they know it is only a few messing it up for many.

“We appreciate that this plea is aimed at a very small minority and that most of our local dog walkers take full responsibility when walking their dogs.”