SIR: The number of people who bring their dogs along the riverside path in Water Lane, to off-load the animal’s waste matter, is amazing. Most owners clear up after the act, but there are those who have no idea of public hygiene at all and repeatedly allow their animals to do their droppings in the same place, and do not even attempt to clear it, or prevent it happening. The low wall, which was built as a flood barrier is a great temptation for children to balance on while walking in the lane. However, just where they would jump off is a mine field of excrement. Also it would be nice for residents to sit of a summer evening and chat, but with little heaps of fly attractions on the grass, that is not an option. Just over the bridge, by the side of what was El Sabio Tapas restaurant is a rough patch of shrubs and bushes... why not show this to your dogs as a possible toilet area? No one walks or sits in there and the animal can dig over its doings.

There is supposed to be a fine for this lack of care. The officials are missing out on a brilliant way to make money! They wasted thousands sitting in Parliament to make the law, so why not recoup some of it back? There is not even a sign for the ignorant to warn them of this law and inform them how to use a doggy bag. Although I do wonder how much methane is created by such collections!

I would ask those who have dogs, to take them for longer walk, out into the countryside, where there is more space for it or to get the animal to do it in their own garden, or adjacent grassy patch.

Margaret Mason,

Water Lane,

Winchester