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A Bath woman claims she was "showered in human excrement" after her puppy picked up a plastic bag of mess in a local park that she believes was left by 'rough sleepers'.

Gillian Risbridger, of Wells Road, was walking in Walcot Recreation Ground on August 29 when her puppy Lola, a borzoi, came across the bag under a tree near a tent.

Mrs Risbridger said when she tried to get it off Lola, she ended up getting covered in the excrement herself.

(Image: Gillian Risbridger)

She claims that for the last two months, two rough sleepers have camped in the recreation ground.

She says human excrement has been left on the grass and in the bushes along with rubbish.

Mrs Risbridger says she has reported it to Bath and North East Somerset Council through its 'Report It' and 'FixMyStreet' website pages.

"Two rough sleepers have been living in a tent for over two months," she said.

"They and their friends defecate on the grass, in the bushes and leave rubbish all around," she claimed.

"On August 29, my puppy picked up a plastic bag of human excrement that was under the tree near the tent, and when I tried to get it off her I ended up showered in human excrement.

"I am a the end of my tether. I reported it to one of the local councillors, who said they would look into it but have not heard back.

"I have photos that show the tent is still there, belongings are strewn all around, including a council bike, together with an open bag of rubbish.

"We want the council to stop ignoring these problems and take action

"This is an ongoing problem. I have reported it through the council website in August and through FixMyStreet a couple of times, but the council keeps saying they have resolved the issue, closes the tickets, and the problems continue."

Mrs Risbridger said that this happens 'every single summer'.

"Walcot Recreation Ground is used by local residents to picnic on a sunny day, a safe place to let dogs off the lead, being the only fenced grassed area within Bath with a gate that shuts," she said.

(Image: Gillian Risbridger)

"This used to be completely grassed, except for the perimeter, but around 10 years ago a lot of trees and shrubs were planted at the bottom by the river wall to encourage wildlife.

"This issue (rough sleepers not looking after the park) happens every summer.

"Tents are put up by rough sleepers, the council appears to do nothing and only when the weather gets too cold do the rough sleepers move away leaving a huge amount of rubbish which locals (myself included) have to clear up.

"It was only a couple of months ago that a mattress, hidden in the bushes since last summer, was dragged by a concerned Bathonian out onto the open grass before council workers would take it away.

(Image: Gillian Risbridger)

"It is ironic that planting to encourage wildlife seems to have encouraged rough sleepers and their friends to abuse this area and discourages the council from clearing up the mess they leave."

She also wants the council to put up a sign warning people of the mess that is left at the recreation ground.

"This is a health hazard, in an area that already has a large rat population," she said

"I’ve suggested to the council that a sign needs to go up on the entrance gate warning parents not to allow their children to play there in case they step on a used needle or human excrement.

What did the council say in response?

Councillor Paul Crossley, the council's cabinet member for community services, said it was aware of a problem in the area, but the park was found to be clean when a recent visit was made.

He said: "Our parks supervisor visited Walcot Recreation Ground on Friday (September 6) to check the area and there was no waste.

"We are aware that the rough sleepers have been reported and are confident that our partner agencies will work with them to find an alternative.

"As part of our wide range of work to prevent homelessness and to support vulnerable people, Bath & North East Somerset Council commissions Julian House and other local agencies to provide services for rough sleepers, depending on their needs."

Got a view on this or another local news story? Email richard.mills@reachplc.com.

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