A NEW way of curbing dog fouling by highlighting the danger to pets was spelled out at a meeting in Aberystwyth.

The meeting was geld by the Waunfawr Community Association (WCA) at the Waunfawr Community Hall on 29 August.

The meeting heard how a trial of a project in Ceredigion – first started in Cardiff – could help to alleviate problems by highlighting risks to the pets’ health instead of focussing on the potential threat to humans.

Russell Jones, chair of the WCA, said: “I came to learn about this novel approach to this problem in Cardiff. I brought this to the attention of the WCA executive committee and with their support I approached Aberystwyth University.

“This tack focusing largely on the implications for the owners’ pets, rather than just the children may trigger a better response in terms of improving social behaviour.”

Representatives from the community councils of Aberystwyth, Borth, Faenor (Waunfawr and Comins Coch), Llangwyryfon and Cyngor Ceulanamaesmawr (Talybont), as well as residents of Waunfawr, were present at the meeting, with four of the community councils keen to contribute, with a fifth set to join in after discussing the issue.

Phil Thomas of Ystwyth Vets told the meeting that the best way to reduce infection of other pets from parasites in faeces is for owners to carry bags to collect and dispose of it.

Dr Russell Morphew of Aberystwyth University, who will organise the scheme, said that the university could help to assess the level and risk to the local community caused by infected cats and dogs.

See the full story in this week’s south edition