Dog mess ruining towpath in Welshpool

Volunteers working to restore and maintain the section of the Montgomery canal through Welshpool say the mess will put off visitors, who bring money into the town.

Malcolm Douglass, one of those involved in the canal and a town councillor, said: "At the moment the canal towpath in Welshpool is fast becoming a health hazard as a result of selfish and irresponsible dog owners.

"There is a section of towpath leading out of Welshpool towards Newtown which is contaminated with dog mess every few feet. It really is disgusting and and a disgrace to the town. It is only common sense that if you are going to take your dog for a walk it is going to go to the toilet. Dog owners should automatically take a bag with them to pick the mess up."

Councillor Douglass said he knew it was only a minority and that, thankfully, Welshpool had more responsible dog owners than irresponsible ones.

"We appreciate them cleaning up after their animals," he said.

"We are currently highlighting the amount of dog excrement along the canal and indeed in town to bring this matter to everyone's attention. If incidents are reported to Welshpool Town Council it can look to fine the individuals. There is no excuse for this irresponsible behaviour.

"Some individuals even pick the mess up and then leave it in little bags either on the canal towpath or worse leave it hanging up in trees. We need people to look out for these individuals and point out their wrong doings and report the matter to Welshpool Town Council. Perhaps hitting their pockets may well do the trick, but the situation cannot and must not continue. We dog owners have a responsibility to pick up after our pets and whilst the majority of us do, we need to penalise those who do not."