As I’ve got older, I’ve found I’m much happier in myself if I spend time with nature – something that’s reflected in my writing. Chunks of Ravens Gathering take place in woodland, and Carrion has key scenes in two different forests, and on two different rivers.
In recent times, I’ve done quite a bit of walking around Greenham Common. For most people, this place is associated with the airbase used by both the RAF and the USAF, but also the peace camp set up there in the 1980s. Since the base closed, much of the land there has been taken over by the Wildlife Trust and is open for anyone to visit, as this sign demonstrates.
What interests me about this sign is the first instruction to dog walkers: Bag it and bin it, in all areas. Not an uncommon instruction, as dog owners have been urged for many years now to clear up after their pets.
It does seem odd, though, that dogs are being singled out. If you look at the same sign, there’s no similar instruction for the horse rider and, arguably, a horse will create a much larger mess than a dog.
More importantly, Greenham Common is open grazing land for cows and horses.
Admittedly, no horses here, but who doesn’t love cows?
These animals don’t have the benefit of a human accompanying them at all times with a collection of plastic bags – and I suspect those bags would need to be somewhat larger and sturdier too. I think the following photos make my point.
Interestingly, I didn’t spot any dog poo during my walk (suggesting the signs are being paid attention to), so I’m not able to share any photos for comparison purposes. Still, I’m sure your fertile imaginations can fill in the gaps.
The thing is, it strikes me as odd that dogs alone need to have their shit picked up, while it’s quite in order for cattle, horses, rabbits and birds to leave theirs all over the place.
It’s worth saying at this point that I don’t have a dog and have never had any desire to own one. I understand the attraction, but they’re not for me. I love going for walks – hence my wanderings at Greenham – but I don’t want to be forced to go for one. Nor do I want the responsibility. So my observations aren’t made with any sense of self-interest.
I should also say that I don’t have any issues with the Wildlife Trust, or anyone involved in the management of Greenham Common, which is a fantastic place to visit, with miles of paths, both on open ground and in woodland. When I’m in Newbury – and I’ve been there a lot over the last couple of years – I’ll try to go a few times a week, and rarely cover the same ground.
My issue – if we can call it that – is with the need for dog shit to be picked up, inserted into a plastic bag and then put in a bin so it ends up in landfill.
Sure, I get that it’s unsightly on our pavements. But so are burger wrappers and drinks cans. The thing is, the shit’ll either be eaten by insects, or decompose over a few weeks and then it’ll be gone. If it’s put in a plastic bag, like the wrappers and cans it’ll take hundreds of years before the waste has disintegrated.
At a time when we’re supposedly becoming more conscious of the need to reduce the use of plastics and look for ways to make our planet more sustainable, wouldn’t it be better to leave the shit there? We seem to be okay with the stuff pumped out by cows and horses and other animals. Or, if the snowflakes (and I use that word sarcastically, because it seems to me it’s the older generation objecting to dog shit more than the youngsters) can’t cope with seeing crap on pavements, at least allow dogs to leave their mess on open land like Greenham Common. We don’t need these, surely?
It’s quite possible I’m missing a very important point here. Because I’m not a dog owner, I’ve very limited experience of the significance of their shit over and above that of other species. So I’m happy to be put right on this, and welcome any comments. It’ll also be interesting to see if you’re more interested in this than the other shit I put out on this blog every now and then…
That’s a very good point Graeme. Perhaps it’s because we fear we will be treading in shit if we don’t. But that could be easily remedied if folk look were they are going. I’m a great one for nature walking too. My favourite spot is our nearby botanic gardens. I grew up near forest area in Edinburgh so always love a walk in the woodland.
Well, I thought it was a good point, Marje, and I agree about watching where you’re going. I’m sure we’ve all trodden in dog shit in the past, and it isn’t pleasant, but it only makes us ore wary next time. And, let’s face it, although it’s inconvenient, it’s not going to kill us. Then again, I’m sure there’ll be other perspectives I’ve not taken into account. Maybe someone will enlighten me here in the comments…
I do have to agree, Graeme, at least in rural areas, although the law does not require you to do so in woodland or far enough from public areas.
As a dog owner, I pick up after Ani around the village, or at any of the sites we visit, using fast-degrading bags (which probably still take too long to degrade). Dogs being omnivores, unlike cattle and sheep, their waste takes a while to decompose and leaves behind a lot of bacteria and potential parasites that can be harmful to humans and other pets.
But sometimes, especially at the old sites still used as grazing land, where you have to pick your way very carefully because of said cattle and sheep…and the dog is highly unlikely to do so…I do have to wonder why 😉
I was aware of potential problems with health, Sue, but didn’t understand the reason for that, so thanks for clarifying. As a vegetarian, perhaps it’d be okay if I… No, I’ll leave that thought alone.
And I’m guessing that the law’s definition of public areas is vague enough to cause organisations like the Woodland Trust to impose rules like this, just to make sure they don’t fall foul of the legislation. The law often is worded sufficiently vaguely to leave it open to interpretation.
I did wonder if there were bags available now that degraded faster than the plastic ones, but I’m sure the fact I didn’t know for sure means a lot of dog owners are also ignorant of their existence.
I know my observations won’t change anything, but it was beginning to bug me. I’ll move back to less shitty subjects with my next post!
I would leave that thought right there 😀
I think there is yardage involved in the legislation… how far from habitation you are allowed to leave nature to take care of the problem… but I can understand it where chiildren play.
This is such a good point Graeme. I hate the fact that we’re picking poop up with plastic bags and putting them on landfill, but then I do hate it myself when on pavements and public areas dog owners don’t pick up. In woods I do tend to ‘stick & flick’ so the waste will decompose naturally, (the advice is that this is acceptable to cut down on plastic), but as Sue says it can have harmful bacteria in it, so it can be harmful to humans, (can cause blindness I believe) and if left on grazing land can be deadly to unborn calf’s through the grazing mother. So I am very conscientious about picking up and only use biodegradable poo bags, (I actually sell them through my eco store)
😊
Well, your point about unborn calves at least clarifies why it’s okay for other animals to shit all over the place at Greenham, but not dogs. I suspect the risk is minor, though, and is pretty small beer in comparison to the harm some standard farming practices can do to livestock. I am pleased to learn about the biodegradable bags. At least there’s a choice now for the more responsible dog owner. I still don’t want one…
Oh don’t get me started on animal farming 😡! I could never be without a dog, it’s a wonderful bond 😊
I know it’s a contentious issue, Sam, so I don’t plan to get into it, but the more I look at it, the more I’m glad I gave up meat 20 years ago, and am edging towards veganism more and more. As for dogs, I don’t have anything against them, but I’m too selfish to give them the time they deserve.