I REFER to the letters published in last week's edition of the Wiltshire Times regarding the subject of irresponsible dog owners.

Southwick Allotment Association is only too aware of the problem of dog mess. The elderly gentleman mentioned has been asked several times not to allow his dog to foul the area.

However, this is not an isolated incident. Piles of dog excreta are frequently deposited around the perimeter fences of Southwick allotments (including underneath our two notice boards and next to the 'Poop Scoop Area' notices!).

The problem is dog owners park their cars, open the doors and let the dogs loose. On one Sunday last summer I counted 83 dogs being taken to the Country Park and that was just the Southwick allotment entrance. The majority of dog walkers are very reasonable; it is just the odd few.

This is a food-producing area and in the summer hordes of flies are attracted by this problem.

We have endeavoured to improve the perimeters of the allotments by planting trees, roses, honeysuckle, clematis and other shrubs for the enjoyment of all. I do not think it is too much to ask that people respect our efforts.

As I understand it, Southwick Country Park was supposed to be an amenity for everybody, children included. I have four young granddaughters and that is the last place I would want them to run about. As your first correspondent pointed out, children do not always look where they are walking and why should they? They should be able to run about in open spaces with no fear of treading in anything unpleasant.

MRS JO RUSSELL,

Secretary, Southwick Allotment Association,

Southfield,

Southwick,

Trowbridge.