While many dog owners take responsibility for their activities, there is a risk to public health from the conduct of the minority who neglect to clean up dog foul.

Dog fouling is a cause for concern, it is unsightly and causes mess but also carries many health risks.

Dog faeces can include bacteria and parasites that are harmful to humans, particularly young children as their immune systems are not fully developed. Dogs can deposit roundworm eggs known as Toxocara canis in their faeces. If swallowed, these tiny organisms are quickly transmitted between animals and people causing illness and disease that can travel throughout the body to the brain, lungs, kidneys, liver, heart and eyes. Roundworm larva can potentially cause stomach upsets, sore throats, asthma, and, in some rare cases blindness. These eggs can remain active on the ground for many years, even after the initial dog mess has worn away. There are approximately 120 cases of Toxocara Canis per year in the UK, very few of which are severe.

Bacteria and parasites can spread from a pile of faeces on the bottom of shoes and even on the feet of flies and other insects, in addition to direct hand-to-mouth transmission and direct skin contact with larvae.

Other harmful diseases caused by dog fouling, include:

• Salmonella – The most common bacterial infection transmitted to humans from dog faeces. This can even be excreted in the faeces of healthy dogs.

• E Coli –This bacterium lives in the intestines of dogs. E Coli can also be life- threatening for people with compromised immune systems. Certain strains of E Coli can escape into the bloodstream.

• Yersiniosis – a bacterial illness that can lead to intestinal infection in people.

• Campylobacteriosis - This can be a life-threatening infection for people with compromised immune systems, as it spreads to the bloodstream.