Coun Stuart Morley was talking about toxocariasis - an infection caused by worms commonly found in the intestines of puppies, kittens, older dogs and cats.

Toxacara worms produce a large number of eggs in the stomach of cats and dogs; these leave their bodies in their faeces, contaminating soil and other surfaces i.e. gardens, lawns, patios, footpaths and in the home when first training a puppy or a kitten (accidents do happen).

Humans become infected accidentally by swallowing the worm eggs, or by eating food contaminated with soil contaminating the eggs (such as unwashed raw vegetables). Toxocariasis cannot be spread from person to person.

Toxocara eggs need to mature in the soil for several weeks before they are able to infect humans and they can survive for years in soil or sand.

Responsible dog owners, of which I class myself, worm their puppies, kittens and pick up their mess.

I suppose that the council’s full-time environmental officer is too busy with all his other jobs to catch owners who do not pick up.

In addition the council supposedly employ a park keeper for the Levellings.

Is not part of his duties to make sure that all rubbish/litter/dog mess is collected? It’s what the members of the public pay their taxes for.

If the employees of the council are not performing their duties correctly, then it is the responsibility of their employers - the elected members of the Town Council - to rectify the situation.

John Ridley

Asquith Street

Gainsborough