At the Portishead Town Council meeting this week, whilst discussing the new 'fencing in' of a large part of the Lake Grounds for a play area for both the very young and teenage population of Portishead, great emphasis was placed on the need for fencing to

At the Portishead Town Council meeting this week, whilst discussing the new 'fencing in' of a large part of the Lake Grounds for a play area for both the very young and teenage population of Portishead, great emphasis was placed on the need for fencing to keep dogs out. Now whilst I appreciate that you do have some irresponsible dog owners, the majority of people using the Lake Grounds on a daily basis do not leave any dog mess. They are responsible dog owners who appreciate the Lake Grounds and have no intention of spoiling it. However, there are some irresponsible dog owners and I believe I am right in saying that there is even a fine that can be imposed on them. Nothing is done to catch these people in the act (so to speak) and they therefore continue to be irresponsible and those dog owners who act responsibly get tarred with the same brush. Dog mess is not the only dangerous substance on the Lake Ground, others can come from cats, ducks and rats, but none of these are, apparently, as irresponsible as dog owners. Councillor Daisy Bickley mentioned at the council meeting that she had stepped in dog mess, something a lot of us have experienced with disgust. However, as this statement was voiced in relation to the Lake Grounds discussion it was naturally assumed by all present that this had happened there - but she did not say it did.By all means do something to catch the irresponsible dog owners but stop lambasting those that are meticulous in their dog hygiene. Reyna KnightPortishead