IN THE Minchinhampton Parish Council News Sheet this month there is a report of a calf being aborted after its mother had ingested neospora cannina oocysts from dog faeces.

These oocysts are very hardy and can survive on the grass for months.

Dogs will show few symptoms, if any, while carrying this deadly parasite but a cow that has ingested it will be three to seven times more likely to abort the calf.

If the calf survives it is highly likely to be a carrier of the parasite and pass it on to future generations.

Four or five aborted calves are found on the common each year, almost as many as are killed on the roads.

It is important that dog owners pick up the dog mess and take it away with them or use the dog bins.

Too many people are not doing this and some even throw their little doggy poop bags up in to the branches of trees and bushes.

It is a simple procedure that responsible dog owners practice and should be followed by all those who use the common and indeed anywhere else.

It is a privilege to have the use of such wonderful space and it should not be sullied to the detriment of other users.

Cattle and young children are in danger of serious health problems or even death when coming in contact with dog mess.

Please clean it up.

The alternative being discussed is to bring back a dog licence of £25 a year or more to pay for wardens on our streets, playing fields and public spaces.

Barry Coombs

Stonehouse