Over the last few months I have read a number of articles in the Oxford Mail and The Oxford Times about dog fouling problems happening in recreational parks and playing fields.

On this subject, I would like to draw attention to such a problem which is regularly happening in the countryside.

As a part-time parish clerk living in the Green Belt which surrounds Oxford and struggling with the horrendous amount of time-consuming, costly bureaucracy passed by members of parliament before closing Westminster doors for the coming election, I try to fit in some time to walk along local footpaths.

This invariably leads to picking up litter and despair over dog owners who pick up after their pets, but then throw the bagged contents into the nearest hedge, verge or ditch.

So far this year, I have picked up at least 40 such bags and disposed of them in the special bins provided on each walk by the parish council.

Surely, the dumping of dog fouling bags in the countryside is an unsightly antisocial act which can become a health hazard, so why do some dog owners behave so irresponsibly?

CARL SMITH
Cromwell Way
Kidlington