Lundavra pupils kick up a stink over "disgusting" dog poo problem
Every Thursday Primary 6 pupils of Lundavra School make their way to the Fort William Leisure Centre for swimming lessons.
They walk the same route each time down Lundavra Road onto Alma Road and then to the swimming pool.
They are all very excited about their regular outing but have noticed one problem that they have observed is only getting worse - dog poo.
To avoid getting it on their shoes and clothes they often have to leave the pavement and walk on the road. This in itself is a risky business for 20+ children and staff, but always done very carefully and safely.
However, the children have taken note of a greater danger - the diseases that can be contracted from the poo itself.
The class, under the direction of teacher Mr James Ross have been researching the ill-effects of dog poo and are very concerned by what they have discovered.
Salmonella, worms, stomach bugs, even blindness can be result of infections carried in dog dirt.
Shocked by what they have found out, each pupil has written a letter, all of which have been sent to the Lochaber Times, Lochaber Life, The Highland Council, Angus MacDonald MP and Kate Forbes MSP highlighting the problem and suggesting solutions.
These are extracts from a few of them.
Kia aged 10: "Every Thursday my class and I walk to to the swimming pool there is always something very disgusting! When we walk down Alma Road there is a lot of dog poo."
Rudi aged 11: "….dog poop can contain Roundworm eggs which can become infectious particularly for children. If they accidentally swallow them they can hatch in the intestine, go into the bloodstream and cause health problems. You wouldn’t want that to happen?"
Sergey aged 10: "Did you know dog dirt is gonna be so hard to take off your clothes and shoes? Your stomach is gonna be upset and can cause sore throats, asthma and in some cases, blindness. Dog dirt is dangerous."
Maiah aged 10: "All we are trying to do is walk to the swimming pool and it is being ruined by lots of dog poop - it makes me sick! There should be signs (telling) people to pick up their dog poop. I am asking you to help us try and stop people leaving it on the pavement."
The children have spoken!
To read more of the letters in full go to www.westcoasttoday.co.uk/opinion/lundavra-primary-school-letters-to-the-editor?
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