Woodland & Dog Question?
I've heard that dog pee is dangerous for kids health, as we have a young family what should we do to protect them while playing in there? & where are the dogs most likely to go? (trees ect?)
Any advice?
Is there anything we can put in there to stop them using it as a toilet?
Answers:
Dog urine isn't the problem, but dog poop can be. You'll have to just ask people to please pick up after their dogs. I would personally stop people when I see them and ask them to also pass the message along. No responsible dog owner should object to that. You might keep some plastic grocery sacks on hand and even place some in an obvious place (perhaps a well traveled foot path) with a sign to help themselves to help keep your property clean. The alternative is to fence off your property, which should get the message across, but I hate to see you go to that expense. Good luck!
You can't clean up urine. If you don't mind the people exercising their dogs there, then you'll have to live with the dog urine.
There's nothing overly dangerous if your kids touch dog pee. As long as they aren't drinking gallons of it, there isn't much realistic risk.
Dog urine could be on trees, bushes, the ground, or just about anywhere.
If they are allowing the dogs to poop, then you'll have to start calling the police for trespassing or going out and talking directly with the owners. Otherwise, you'll have to fence the yard or get serious about protecting it.
Good luck to you. : )
Start going out and patroling your property. When you see someone with their dog, explain you don't mind them being there but please clean up, otherwise you're going to have to start pressing trespassing charges.
As for dog pee and kids, unless your kids are drinking it, they'll be fine. Dog pee is not that much different from your own.
I would post a sign that says:
FOUND: Dog poop. If not picked up daily, we will gladly deliver it to it's rightful owners.
This will get people thinking twice about leaving dog crap. It will make them think someone is watching.
I would put up some positive signs that say:
"We want to continue to keep this land open for you and your pets. Please pick up after your dogs or we will post "no trespassing".
If dog pee were "dangerous" to kids, how could people let their kids and dogs into the same back yard? I mean you have your kids be sure to wash their hands anyway, don't you?
Of course you are not being OTT. No one wants someone elses dog doing its business on their land.
Is there anyway you could block the land off so other people could not use it.
Its not dog pee thats the problem, it's faeces from unwormed dogs. If the faeces are cleaned up within 2 weeks of being deposited there's very little risk, no more so than for any other kind of dirt.
People should clean up after their dogs, even in the country!
If its your land then you need to establish ownership now, because if people use land without a break for a certain number of years then they can establish rights.
The problem is that you're new to the area. If people get offended because the newcomers make new rules that really is their problem; they wouldn't like it if you went to the loo in their back garden.
Dog pee is not dangerous to children. Dog poo may be if the dog isn't wormed properly. It would depend on how much land we are talking about. A couiple of turd in a 4 acre wood should not be a huge problem. However, if you have a problem and dog walkers are not clearing up after their dogs, simply ban them from the woods and put up notices explaining why.
Your children will be at risk of other things in the wood, ticks for example can cause a nasty disease.
Alternatively, if you still want to let dog owners walk their dogs, fence off a small part for them to use and make the rest out of bounds.
Sarah has made a very valid point. If you continue to allow people to use your land they will have rights to use it even if you don't want them to. Regardless of how long you have been there. It is your land, make it private property unless you are happy to have it made public land by law.
I think you and any other adults in your family need to spend a day there talking to people who take their dogs onto your land. Explain that you will close the land off if its not kept clean. Any responsible owner will understand and comply, that way if you do have to close it off then they have all had fair warning. you could also watch any persistent offenders and let the other dog walkers know who to blame for the land being closed off. Good Luck.
Dog poo is a safety hazard for children and you are right to be concerned. Dog wee is smelly but doesn't spread parasites etc as poo does.
I suggest that your signs say, young children play here - please clear up your dogs poo. Being up front about your concerns will motivate them to cooperate and won't be offensive.
You may need to provide dog poo bins within the area as dog owners won't want to be walking around with bags of poo and will probably cooperate better if you do this - even though it is your land!
Most dogs prefer to poo in scrub and grass so at this time of year it is hard to spot amongst all the leaves and you need to keep a sharp eye out to keep your children safe.
I recommend a pair of wellies that are not allowed in the house for walking in the woodland. This will help avoid the transferance of any poo parasites into the house, on the floor and onto the hands and into your kids.
Simple precautions like this will keep your children safe and you can enjoy the woods without irritating the local dog walkers!
The answers post by the user, for information only, UKQnA.com does not guarantee the right.