Fishermen's disgust at dog mess

Mr Hughes said members of the association were angry

A group of anglers in Gwynedd are fed up with dog walkers who do not clean up after their pets.

The Seiont Gwyrfai and Llyfni Association have 200 members who fish on rivers and lakes at Caernarfon.

The issue of dog mess left on pathways has already caused the association to lock gates to more than one of their sites.

Secretary Huw Hughes said it was a pity that the action of a few spoilt the enjoyment of many.

One area which is particularly badly affected is near the Swan river at Pontllyfni on the Caernarfon to Pwllheli road, said Mr Hughes.

A footpath there has been widened and resurfaced for access to a nearby sewage works, which means the river is now accessible for wheelchair users.

If you stand in dog poo and then carry it back to your car without realising it is horrible Huw Hughes, fishing association secretary

But the new surface has encouraged dog walkers too, many of whom do not clear up after their pets, Mr Hughes said.

"There is a public footpath on the other side of the river and the area is lovely and it makes a great circular route," he said.

"But since it was widened about five years ago there is more dog mess, and it is really unpleasant.

"If you stand in dog poo and then carry it back to your car without realising it is horrible, and wheelchair users are complaining that they get their wheels in it," he added.

Mr Hughes said the situation showed a "lack of respect".

'Abusive'

"We don't want to prevent people going for walks, but in some of our sites we have had to stop access," he said.

At Crawiau, Llanrug a gate giving access to the river bank used to be left open, and a bench there made a handy place to sit and enjoy the views, he said.

"Unfortunately because of the mess we've had to lock the gate and put up members only signs."

Mr Hughes said he had in the past tried to reason with dog walkers when their pets mess.

"They can get quite abusive and obnoxious.

"It is such a pity because we don't want to stop people visiting these areas.

"But it has got to such a stage that we have to because our members are complaining so much," he added.