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A dog walker is urging fellow pet owners to clean up after their pooches as she claims the amount of mess on the streets has increased since the lockdown began.

Linda Grafham, from Retford, says that she has noticed an 'unacceptable increase' in the amount of dog faeces littering the pavements since the lockdown began.

She claims that many people who have recently started walking their dogs more regularly may not be aware of the 'pick it up' rules.

It comes after the government told people to scrap all non-essential journeys and only to leave their homes to go to work, pick up essential items, or take one instance of exercise per day.

This means that many people have taken to walking their dogs to get their daily intake of exercise, but Linda says this has led to an increase in people leaving their dog's mess on the streets.

She said: "I am sorry to say that a number of the public out for exercise have noticed an unacceptable increase in the amount of dog walkers who are not picking up their mess.

"These, we assume, are those who rarely exercise themselves or their dogs and may not be aware of the 'pick it up' rules.

"Or are they the ones who do not care and are under the assumption that there is now no one out there to monitor and warn them."

She then adds that perhaps it is the lack of poo bags available that is causing the problem.

Linda said: "The bag dispensers are being maintained, but unfortunately a supermarket mentality keeps them stripped bare.

"However, it could be because of the reduced number of volunteers or workers who maintain them. Surely poo bags should be carried any way.

"Sadly, this mess is being left in one of our few remaining walking areas near Hallcroft.

"We really have enough problems, without watching where our feet tread, or losing that little space where children can have some freedom without being even more restricted.

"Please, as a reminder to everyone, enjoy our beautiful spaces and do not foul. Please pick it up."