A WILDLIFE trust says it has had enough of dog poo left unpicked by visitors to Dorset nature reserves and warn it could severely impact wildlife.

Bournemouth’s branch of national wildlife trust Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) are appealing for dog walkers who visit Dorset heathlands to not “make children, animals and plants suffer the consequences” of left dog muck.

ARC claims the problem is on the increase and are warning against the impact on nature. A spokesperson said: “Visitors might not be aware of the effect on plants and animal species that dog mess leaves behind on the heathland.

“Walking a dog on one of Dorset’s nature reserves is one of life’s pleasures that hundreds of people across the county enjoy on a regular basis.”

The heathland flora in Dorset is rare due to the naturally low nutrient levels of the soil. This has enabled plants that can tolerate these conditions to flourish, such as four types of heather and rare flower species.

Bournemouth Echo: Parley CommonParley Common

The spokesperson added: “By introducing dog faeces, much as in the same way that chemical fertilizers are put on farmland, it increases the nutrient level meaning that our vital plant species become dominated by common grasses and escaped garden plants.

“As the makeup of the soil changes, the plant species that have thrived for thousands of years are lost and, in turn, the wildlife species that rely on these heathland plants in order to survive are lost forever too.”

In response, ARC has been running regular education events on Parley Common for school children and have noticed that the amount of dog mess has increased.

ARC education officer Owain Masters said: “Quite regularly now I have to spend most of my events saying ‘watch out for the poo’. Not ideal when you are on site to teach children about the importance of looking after nature.

“So I decided to do a litter pick and the feedback makes for sad reading – high levels of plastic and dog waste have even been found at the waterfall gate entrance which isn’t even in an urban area.

“ARC reserves are free to visit although don’t let your dog make children, animals and plants suffer the consequences of what you leave behind.”