Football coaches in north east Fife have cried foul over irresponsible dog owners who fail to clean up their pets’ mess on their pitches.
Ladyinch in Cupar is well-used by Cupar Soccer Sevens as a training and match area, but recently the ground has become unplayable due to the amount of dog dirt left on the grass.
The enclosed area, which is for the sole use of club and its primary school-aged teams, is also normally padlocked after use but, according to coach and Soccer Sevens chairperson Kevin Bain, locks are being broken and stolen.
He said: “It has come to a point where we are not happy with children using the pitch for training because of the amount of mess and concerns for the health of any child who comes into contact with it.
“It’s disgusting that anyone thinks it is acceptable to walk their dog in an area which is used regularly by children and, worse still, not to pick up the dog mess afterwards.
“Along with other coaches, I have attempted to speak to some people I have seen using the area for their dogs but just got abuse and every time we put a new padlock on the gate it just gets broken or stolen.
“We are a voluntary organisation and this is putting a lot of pressure on everyone involved.”
Calls for greater penalties for dog owners who continue to flout the laws have now been made by the area’s MP Stephen Gethins, who described the situation as “very concerning”.
“Cupar Soccer Sevens is a great organisation run by volunteers who dedicate a lot of their own time and effort into running an affordable football coaching school for local children,” he said.
“What they are doing to encourage young people to take part and enjoy sport is fantastic and it’s horrendous that Ladyinch is being targeted in this way.
“I know dog fouling is an issue across north east Fife, including other areas like primary school playgrounds, and it really is time people cleaned up their act so that children can be safe and enjoy being outside.”
PC Kevin Adam, the area’s community constable, said patrols are to be stepped up in the area to monitor the situation.
He said: “This area is for children to use and we would discourage members of the public from using it for their dogs.
“People also need to clean up after their pets and there are plenty of dog bins around.”