BANGOR Rugby Club is aiming to raise £10,000 to erect a fence around its pitches and clubhouse, where dog faeces have become more frequently left without being cleaned up by dog owners.

The club says vandalism is also an issue at the pitches, at Cae Milltir, Llandygai, with both problems becoming more prevalent since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The club has so far raised £455 of its target.

Natalie Hughes, whose sons have been playing for the club for about three years, and who has helped with the running of the under-11s team for roughly six months, said: “There’s dog poo, people leaving their mess, vandalism; and this is just to help raise the funds to get the fence put up for them.

“There’s loads of it – people might have nothing to do with the rugby club, but are using the field to take their dogs on walks. It’s mainly been since COVID; it’s got quite bad, really.”

Founded in 1880, Bangor Rugby Club currently runs a 1st XV and seven junior sides, comprising more than 180 participants.

A post on the club’s Crowdfunder page added: “Since COVID, more and more members of the public have found the pitches a convenient place to walk their dogs, but sadly many do not collect their dog faeces.

“This is a health hazard to all our players but especially the younger ones, and the danger of dog faeces is well-documented.

“Toxocariasis is a rare infection caused by roundworm parasites. Humans can catch it from handling soil or sand contaminated with infected animal faeces.

“Roundworm parasites are most commonly found in cats, dogs and foxes, and usually affect young children.

“We have erected signs but they are ignored, and the ground being in such a rural area is impossible to police, and is accessible 24 hours a day.

“Therefore, it is essential to solve this problem, and the only way is to erect fencing to prevent unlawful access to the clubhouse and pitches when not open.”

You can donate to the club’s Crowdfunder by visiting: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/clwb-rygbi-bangor-rugby-club-protect-our-kids.

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