A NEW project to curb dog fouling by highlighting the danger to pets is set to go ahead after four community councils signed up for the scheme in connection with Aberystwyth University.

It followed a meeting held by the Waunfawr Community Association 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 focusing on the potential threat to humans.

Community councils of Aberystwyth, Borth, Faenor (Waunfawr and Comins Coch) and Llangwyryfon have all agreed to partake in the scheme - with Talybont council withdrawing following their own survey which indicated there was little dog fouling in the area they were concerned about.

The university’s role will be to “undertake the collection of samples of dog excreta”, “examination of these samples to identify the existence and level of contamination by parasites especially toxocara” and “to produce a report of the findings to the participating community councils.”

The community councils provided maps of the areas they wished to have surveyed with respect to dog fouling, which were handed to Dr Russell Morphew at Aberystwyth University.

The collection of samples and data mapping is set to take place in the Spring.

Project co-ordinator Russell Jones said: “For years, those of us involved with recreational areas have been frustrated by our inability to get many dog owners to pick up the excreta of their dogs and dispose of it in a safe way. Some dog owners go to extreme lengths to ensure their dogs do not cause a problem, they are not our target."

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