I WRITE in response to the letter from J. Coulchard, of Claughton, under the headline 'Humans can beat dogs at mess any day' (Readers' Mail, September 12).

I agree with the writer - humans do leave more mess than dogs.

My owner picks my mess up all the time. I have to admit there are some dog owners who won't pick up their dog's mess, but the amount of litter on the grass around Red Rocks in New Brighton is terrible.

I have to watch where I put my paws. Sometimes there are broken bottles and pieces of glass thrown around on the grass and up on the hills where my canine friends and I love to run.

My owner and other dog owners have to go around picking up broken bottles and glass so we do not cut our paws.

Then there are other things on the grass that my owner says are called condoms. I have never heard of them before, but my owner says: "What if children pick them up? It's not very nice, little ones don't know not to touch them."

Then there are the people who come for a day out, park their cars on the grass and have a picnic. How do we canines know that we are not supposed to run up and join in? I mean, people sitting on the grass eating chicken drumsticks and hot dogs - that is surely an invitation for us to join in! The other week a lady sat in her car with the doors open eating a big ham sandwich, and my son Jaspa (he's still a puppy) thought that was his invitation.

So what does he do? He only ran towards the car, jumped in, and took the sandwich right out of her hand!

Then he jumped out of the car on the other side and ran off with a big piece of ham hanging out of his mouth. The lady was not very amused, but Jaspa's owner and other dog owners were in stitches with laughter.

Then there are the people who change their babies' nappies and leave the smelly ones on the grass or hanging in a bush.

My daughter Wispa and I just want to say we wish you humans would not leave your mess on our fields and in our parks, and if you do have a picnic, please take your chicken bones home or throw them in the litter bins.

Some people leave them on the grass for us to eat, but only if you knew - chicken bones can kill us.

Sparkle The Wonder Dog,

Liscard.