A RAFT of new dog bins could help Worcester City Council keep its streets and parks free from unpleasant mess.

Since April, 15 bins have been placed around the city thanks to £15,000 set aside in this year’s budget.

A further 25 are set to follow in the coming weeks and the Take Pride campaign is the perfect opportunity to remind pet owners to stop and clean up after their animals. David Sutton, the city council’s service manager for cleaner and greener, said: “I am really pleased to be able to put more bins in as it is an area that is difficult for councils.

“If you are unfortunate enough to step in dog mess it’s very unpleasant and one incident is too many.

“The vast majority of people do pick it up and are very responsible – but it only takes a very small number to cause a problem.”

Dr Chris Catchpole, consultant microbiologist at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, was keen to point out the health risks of not cleaning up after your pets.

He said: “It is more than just the aesthetics which are upsetting. I can list numerous different parasites which make their home in dog faeces, the most serious of which – the roundworm toxocara canis – can leave people seriously ill and at risk of losing their sight.

“Worst of all, the people affected by such a parasite are likely to be children. It is much more common in children because they tend to play in contaminated dirt and sand more than adults.

“But parents should not panic about letting their children play in the park just yet.

“Nationally there are only about 10 cases a year, although that is probably an underestimation as much of the time infections can display no symptoms.

“I believe people would be far quicker to clean up their dog mess if they were aware of the problems it can cause.”