Scout leaders with the 1st Kilgetty Scout group have urged those responsible for failing to pick up after their dog to clean up their act.

Posting in the ‘Kilgetty, Begelly, Stepaside and Pentlepoir Community’ group on Facebook, a spokesperson for the Scout group said that since the new footpath was installed around the field next to their hut, there has been a very big increase in dog walkers parking and using the field to exercise and empty their dogs.

“Whilst some are very responsibility cleaning up after their pet many others are not and sadly our lovely green space is becoming an unpleasant pet toilet,” said the spokesperson.

“We love having access to the field and the recent drier weather is great because we can venture outdoors again.”

They explained that for the past three weeks the leaders, with help from a parent have had to spend extra time before their sessions begin walking the field and clearing up and bagging the offending mess, then walking down to the bins to dispose of them, before they could take the young people out.

“We rely on this extra space not only for team building games and scavenger hunts like the recent Easter egg hunt but also to be able to teach and practice outdoor skills like tracking, tent pitching and pioneering projects,” continued the spokeperson.

“Dog poo is not only unpleasant and unhygienic to have to clean up from shoes and clothing and the hut floors but dangerous to health with the risk of infections such as Toxicariasis.

“We have youngsters as young as six years old enjoying this lovely space. Please can I ask that if you know anyone who uses the field for their dog to please remind them to clean up after them - it really isn’t fair for this to now have to be part of our Scouting week,” they added.

The Scout group are always looking for any additional adult helpers. For any further information, please contact [email protected]