North Wales Wildlife Trust is urging dog owners to do the right thing and pick up after their pets as part of a new national campaign from Keep Wales Tidy.

Although an estimated nine out of 10 dog owners pick up after their pets, dog poo remains a persistent issue in neighbourhoods across the country. Keep Wales Tidy’s campaign aims to raise awareness of the health risks associated with dog poo; not just for humans but also for livestock and other pets.

Chris Wynne, Senior Reserves Manager at North Wales Wildlife Trust said: “It is very important dog owners clean up after their pets. North Wales Wildlife Trust are asking dog owners to do this to protect wildlife, livestock, and other users.

With so many dogs now visiting our most popular nature reserves on a regular basis, we want to avoid the local enrichment that occurs when dog waste is simply left to rot. We also do not want other visitors – including school children and our volunteers or staff - encountering such waste and the associated disease hazard it may pose.

And there is also a significant risk to cows, which play an important role in grazing at some of our nature reserves. Neosporosis is a dangerous disease that can affect dogs and cause abortions in cattle; it can be transmitted both ways between stock and dogs.

Every dog owner can play their part.”

Visit Keep Wales Tidy’s website to find out more.