While not wishing to detract from your correspondents' legitimate concerns about the unpleasant matter of dog faeces, the likelihood of illness caused through Toxocariasis needs to be put in perspective.

The incidence of all (including that emanating from cats and foxes) Toxocara- induced diseases in the UK is only 2 cases per million of the popu-lation. This equated to about 40 cases per year. While this is still too high, it must be stressed that the chances of a child being affected are mini-mal.

Responsible dog owners do clear up after their dogs and deposit the bagged waste in a suitable receptacle. The provision by local authorities of dog waste bins, regularly emptied, gives the selfish dog owner no excuse to be antisocial.

However, basic personal hygiene, washing hands before eating, after play, dog walking etc., should minimise even further any danger of this dis-ease to children.

Yes, dog poo is a concern, but don't let the problem become magnified out of all proportion. The NCDL is working hard to educate those antiso-cial dog owners.

Please contact me for NCDL's free factsheet "Every Dog Owner's Duty".

Tony Brenton

NCDL Information Office

020 7837 0006