by Elizabeth Fearon

Created on: November 08, 2009   Last Updated: November 09, 2009

Living with children and dogs should automatically ignite a heightened sense of responsibility in us as parents and owners respectively - to them and to the society in which we live. Toilet training is an essential aspect for each of them, the only difference being that dogs are expected to perform outdoors whereas, barring the occasional emergency 'wee' behind a bush for toddlers, our children grow up with the delights of soft quilted loo paper, air freshener and the essential hygiene procedures. OK, I realise that Fido will never be a dab hand with a moist wipe but, in defence of all our canine friends doing what comes naturally, it is Mr and Mrs Dog Owner who should be berated for not doing what should come naturally to them - displaying a sense of responsibility and a duty of care to the people and the environment around them.

While pregnant I remember learning the dangers of toxicara canis if dog faeces were touched; as a new mother I remember the extra vigilance required as the children played in local parks or beauty spots because there was never any doubt that dog faeces would be lurking somewhere. I remember the disgust and despair of inadvertently wheeling the new pram through steaming turds covered by autumnal leaves and being left with the distasteful cleaning task and I remember the fury of discovering deposits left outside our own garden gate by owners too arrogant and lazy to live up to their responsibilities. Then came the day that we too became dog owners and I had to practise what I'd preached. And so it came to pass that wherever Fido went, so went I and my faithful poo bag. As I would no more entertain the idea of my children defecating in a public place, neither would I allow my dog to do such a thing without being on hand to address the mess.

Now, wherever I'm walking with Fido, I hold my poo bag for all to see - partly to reassure others that they need fear no unwanted souvenirs from my canine companion, partly to parry any accusatory glances from those silently (or not!) attributing every pile of dog poo ever deposited to me and mine and partly, perhaps forlornly, hoping to encourage other owners to do the same. You see, I just don't understand how someone can knowingly walk away from their public duty. Where is their sense of shame? Where is their sense of common decency? Where is their consideration for others? Not long ago I overheard a woman talking to her friend expressing her outrage at the graffiti daubed on a local bus shelter. A little later the same day I spotted that same woman walking her toy poodle and allowing it to defecate in the street. I watched in disbelief as she wiped its bottom, dropped the tissue by the faeces and then, without batting an eyelid, carried on walking. How could she not realise that her own lack of consideration for her surroundings was no less abhorrent than that of the bus shelter vandals? How can I bring up my children with an appreciation of the world around them and a desire to preserve it, if they witness such blatant disregard for others. It may just have been one small poo for the poodle but it was a dirty great slap in the face for those who live with the consequences of an increasingly unthinking, uncaring section of society.

Yes, ducks do it, birds do it, I'm sure even educated fleas do it but I can't exercise any control over nature at large. However, I can, should and will exercise my responsibilities as the owner of a domestic pet.

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