AM Voices Concerns

CARL SARGEANT WARNS OF
DOG FOULING HEALTH RISK

Alyn & Deeside’s Welsh Assembly Member, Carl Sargeant, has warned of the dangers of dog fouling following the news of a toddler in the North West of England who could lose one of her eyes after getting an infection from dog mess in a park playground.
The child who was playing in a gated children’s area, was diagnosed with a potentially deadly infection that could spread to her brain.
Hospital tests confirmed toxocariasis, an infection which is spread by dog dirt. It can result in optical lobe cellulosis, which can lead to blindness and even death if not treated within 72 hours.
Carl Sargeant AM attended Buckley Higher Common to highlight the risks associated with dog fouling,
Carl Sargeant AM said
“As a dog owner myself I know lots of people who do pick up after their dog, however it is important to remind people of the health risks particularly for young children to ensure that more people clean up after their dog’s, I’d like to hear from dog-owners to see if there’s anything deterring them from clearing it up, is it a lack of bins, or just habit and what could be done to encourage them to do it.”
Local Council’s often come in for criticism over the issue of tackling dog fouling but Carl Sargeant recognises that the local Council has recently introduced dog fouling enforcement and is now calling for an awareness campaign about the dangers of dog fouling.