THERE is anger over the state of a path in Haydon Wick which is so notorious locals have renamed it 'dog mess alley'. 

The passageway which runs between Kennet Avenue and Severn Avenue is a popular route from Haydon Wick to Seven Fields Nature Reserve. 

But neighbour Simon Stratford says it’s also a favourite spot for dogs to relieve themselves. 

“I went out the other day and as I walked down there I just thought 'look at the state of this',” said Simon who has lived in the area for 14 years. 

“It’s just gross. It’s disgusting, it’s basic stuff."

The dad of two said he has always known it to be a hazard for unaware pedestrians, but the mess has become more noticeable during lockdown. 

“Obviously there’s a lot of young families around here who would like to be able to use the path, and with lockdown everyone has got dogs now," he said. 

“It’s close to Greenmeadow Primary School, so when the kids are at school it’s a busy thoroughfare,” said Simon, who owns a five-month-old Sprocker Spaniel.

“It’s just one or two lazy dog owners in my opinion, who just don’t care,” he said. 

“I’m no expert on the stuff but it looks like it comes from the same animal. I can tell you my dog’s poo from another because it looks the same. 

“If you’re on that footpath then your dog is never going to be more than about five metres away from you, so I can’t see how anyone is not going to know what their dog is doing.

“I would say it’s a handful of the same people who just don’t care,” he said. 

Simon, who is a vehicles instructor,added that people shouldn’t expect others to pick up after their dog.

“I think there’s a line to be drawn between litter picking and then having to pick up this stuff. And in any case, you may not have a bag on you.

“It’s just not acceptable,” he added. “Pick up after your dog. If you don’t want to clear up after your dog then don’t have a dog.”