IF "Dog Lover" of Unsworth (Your Letters, May 18) always removes her dog's faeces and was wrongly accused by the dog wardens then she has my sympathy.

But the harsh fact is that there are many irresponsible owners who happily allow their dogs to defecate on any grassed areas and do not remove the mess. As a council gardener I find one of the most unpleasant aspects of my job is the foul smell and accidentally mowing over such a mess, leaving my face and clothes splattered.

Local "hot spots" in Prestwich for dog owners include grassed areas such as St Mary's playing fields and ornamental gardens, the cenotaph, the flowerbeds opposite Bailey's Funeral parlour, Fairway Gardens, and Warwick Close and Barnard Avenue.

Personally, I hope the dog wardens continue to pursue and fine guilty dog owners.

DISGUSTED,

Prestwich.