Dog fouling at Carrig Park a major issue

Dog fouling at Carrig Park, Fermoy has been highlighted as an ongoing issue that has gotten worse in recent months, writes Katie Glavin.

The matter, according to a Fermoy FC spokesperson, is now posing a serious health risk for players and for those involved in the upkeep of the facility at Carrignagroghera.

“Dogs are known to be a man’s best friend and as we know can be the most devoted animals ever. However, stepping on their excrement is an entirely different matter,” a spokesperson said.

A letter recently issued by Fermoy FC is now calling on dog owners to not let their dogs on the pitches and to ensure that any dog mess is picked up.

According to the letter, this is to safeguard the health and safety of all users of the Fermoy FC facility.

“Evidently, this is hugely concerning, not only because picking up after your dog is not only common courtesy and is indeed the duty of the dog owner, but also because parasites and bacteria in dog waste can spread disease putting our players’ health at risk,” the letter read

OWNERS’ RESPONSIBILITY

In recent times, it is noted that the issue has gotten worse due to increased numbers of dog walkers in the area.

A spokesperson for the club noted that while the issue is unsightly and can impact club games greatly, the main fear is the associated health risks, especially regarding children who use Carrig Park regularly.

The club noted that groundskeepers are spending extra time walking ‘every inch’ of the pitch to inspect and clean up the mess left behind in order to safeguard players and children.

Currently, volunteers and workers who maintain the pitch are having to clear the grounds of dog foul each morning. One volunteer reported removing as many as 15 incidents of dog foul from the two pitches in a single morning.

“We won awards in the past with the Tidy Towns for the ‘best kept grounds in Fermoy’ but now people have no respect whatsoever.

“There’s a certain amount of dog walkers that just don’t care and it seems to be happening late in the evenings. It’s just gone overboard,” the spokesperson added.

Referees of games held at Carrig Park have stopped games in the past due to the issue and have not allowed the game to proceed until dog foul was removed from the pitch, the spokesperson noted.

“We’re not trying to stop dog walkers from walking their dogs in the area. Once they have their dog on a lead, keep them off the pitch, pick up after them and show a bit of respect, that’s all we’re asking,” the spokesperson said.