RECENTLY I was working with a group of volunteers in Coronation Gardens, West Kirby.

We weeded, raked up grass clippings, collected litter and generally made it nice for everyone.

This is a public gardens, not a park.

Unfortunately, the quantity of dog mess that we came across was disgusting and scattered everywhere.

Responsible dog owners should not think that public gardens are there to be used as dog toilets.

The public have a right to sit on the grass, to encourage children to play out in the fresh air, wander among the flower beds without fear of getting dog mess on their clothes, pram wheels, footballs and shoes.

Nor should the public be bothered by dogs running free when using public spaces for quiet enjoyment.

Now that there are so many more dogs around and households often have two or more, there needs to be a code of practice to encourage owners to act responsibly.

Many owners let the dog off the lead to go where it chooses, unsupervised.

Dog owners bring their animals to our gardens before work, before first light, in the dark, and all evening until late.

They no doubt ignore the mess as they can't see it.

That's a lot of poo.

The streets of West Kirby are fouled everywhere.

First thing in the morning they are streaked with dog urine.

The Wirral Way has one mess every couple of yards. The promenade is a disgrace.

It's no pleasure to walk on the beach as there are poo bags everywhere.

Please can doggy people put forward a code of practice, other ways of dealing with the problem, anything that would help to clean up our town and reduce this health hazard.

Name and address supplied.