{"id":16649,"date":"2017-02-03T16:34:24","date_gmt":"2017-02-03T16:34:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=16649"},"modified":"2017-02-03T16:34:24","modified_gmt":"2017-02-03T16:34:24","slug":"thats-foul-football-matches-delayed-increase-dog-mess","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2017\/02\/03\/thats-foul-football-matches-delayed-increase-dog-mess\/","title":{"rendered":"That\u2019s a foul! Football matches delayed by increase in dog mess"},"content":{"rendered":"

FOOTBALL clubs in Cardiff have criticised a rise in dog mess left on pitches, causing delays for matches across adult and youth leagues. <\/span>
\nThe news follows after Cardiff Hibernian FC spoke out earlier this week<\/a> after a eight-year-old boy returned home with dog mess on his kit.<\/span>
\nAccording to Whitchurch FC senior manager Tom Hill the problem is a common sight\u00a0on council and Cardiff parks pitches, with a number of dog walkers ignoring signs.<\/span>
\nMr Hill said: \u201cIt\u2019s a massive issue. We had a game stopped last Saturday at home when the referee called me over to get rid of some dog poo.<\/span>
\n\u201cThere are signs that say \u2018Do not walk your dog on the pitch\u2019 but people seem to ignore them. It\u2019s an issue on all council and park pitches.\u201d<\/span>
\nMeanwhile another coach has criticised facilities in Tremorfa, after a junior game was pushed back to clear up dog mess. <\/span>
\nOne youth coach who does not wish to be named said: \u201cThis season we had a match in Tremorfa park that had to have a delayed kick off due to dog and horse mess on the field. We\u2019ve also had issues in Pontcanna.<\/span>
\n\u201cIn rugby there was an issue in Caedelyn Park, where one boy was covered after a tackle. [It\u2019s] not only disgusting but for a child it\u2019s potentially harmful,\u201d he added.<\/span>
\nCanton Rangers FC chairman Andrew Leslie said\u00a0dog walkers have also caused problems on the club\u2019s youth team home ground in Sevenoaks Park.<\/span>
\nMr Leslie said: \u201cWe always get get people coming back saying there\u2019s dog muck on the pitch, especially near the goal area. It\u2019s not nice, especially for the goalkeepers who have to dive on the ground.\u201d<\/span>
\nThe chairman suggested a lack of bins may be responsible for the problem, explaining: \u201cPerhaps there\u2019s not enough dog bins with bags — it might give people better chance of cleaning it up if there was more.\u201d <\/span>
\nHowever, in spite of the comments Cardiff and District Amateur Football League have not received any official complaints.<\/span>
\nLeague Treasurer and Vice Chairman Andrew Duff said: \u201cAt present\u00a0we have had no complaints from anyone in the league regarding the issue.\u00a0<\/span>I\u2019m not saying it doesn\u2019t happen but if it does people clear it up and get on with it.\u201d<\/span>
\nCardiff Combination League secretary Giovanni Girolami said\u00a0although the issue is not widespread, reports are more common in lesser-used pitches. <\/span>
\nMr Girolami said: \u201cIt\u2019s not a problem that we are particularly aware of. When it has happened it\u2019s been on more isolated pitches.\u201d<\/span>
\nHowever, as chairman of Pontprennau Football Club, he added that a lack of litter bins is causing a problem.<\/span>
\n \u201cMore bins on sites would definitely help in terms of keeping the pitches clean,” he said.<\/span>
\n\u201cI understand there are financial constraints but we only have two bins and four football pitches. Residents in Pontprennau have started leaving green plastic bags at the pitch entrance for people to put their rubbish in.\u201d<\/span>
\nCabinet Member for Environment Councillor Bob Derbyshire said\u00a0Cardiff Council had increased the\u00a0number of dog bins and \u2018bag it and bin it\u2019 signs.<\/span>
\nCoun Derbyshire said: \u00a0\u201cThe vast majority of dog owners are responsible and act accordingly but unfortunately the message doesn\u2019t seem to be getting through to a very small minority of irresponsible dog owners. <\/span>
\n\u201cWe will continue to work hard to get the message across using all measures available to us. One of these enforcement measures are on-the-spot fines.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n