Bristol City Council has shocked residents with this new poster (Picture: Bristol City Council)

Bristol City Council has defended a controversial health and safety poster which appears to show a young child with dog waste around her mouth.

The advert shows a toddler at a playground with her hands and face covered in muck, accompanied by text warning ‘children will put anything in their mouths’.

Below the image is a second picture of dog waste, with a message calling on dog owners to pick up their pet’s mess or face a £1,000 fine.

The campaign urges residents to report those who don’t comply.


Online users were surprised by the image, with TV illusionist Derren Brown one of the first people to bring it to light.



After Twitter user @JRhodesPianist posted a picture of the ad along with the words ‘what were you thinking’, Brown retweeted the message and sarcastically said he missed Bristol.

But the council seemed unapologetic and replied to @JRhodesPianist and another user, saying they hoped the poster would force dog owners to clean up after their pets.

They added: ‘Shocking imagery, but perhaps it will help encourage a few more dog owners to do the responsible thing.’