SOMETHING has to be done about the amount of dog poo being left on the playing fields at Ross High, according to members of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council.

At the group's February meeting, community councillors discussed the level of dog poo in Tranent, particularly at the Ross High playing fields.

Robert McNeill, community councillor, said: "The amount of dog poo having to be picked up before games of Ross High RFC is completely unacceptable. It is disgusting.

"As a community council, we need to have a discussion about how we address this issue.

"I think the fields should be closed to dogs. I think that is the best solution."

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It comes after a coach for Ross High RFC had to pick up eight dog bags full of poo ahead of their game at the end of January.

Meanwhile, a coach for Tranent Colts, who also play on the fields, had to pick up five bags of poo back in November ahead of a game.

Mike Falconer, community council chair, agreed that something needed done, but said that preventing dogs from using the park would be difficult to manage.

He said: "I think we have to remember that to ban dogs from the park would be almost impossible to police. Who is going to police that?

"I agree that it is absolutely disgusting that coaches for Ross High and Tranent Colts are having to pick up poo before games, but I wonder what it is as a community council we can do to help?

"We can put notices up, put posts on Facebook, but ultimately we can only advise people to be responsible."

Lee-Anne Menzies, ward councillor for Tranent, Wallyford and Macmerry, added: "The vast majority of dog owners are responsible people, there are signs telling people to pick up after their dogs.

"The people who choose to ignore them are irresponsible and I don't think they'll ever be educated to stop."

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While Neil Ellis, community council vice-chair, said: "Irresponsible dog owners will always be irresponsible. I'm not sure what we can do about that."

The playing fields are owned by Forth Electrical Services (FES) but maintained by East Lothian Council.

Mr Falconer said that the community council would reach out to the appropriate people to ask what they were going to do about the situation.

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: "The playing fields at Ross High School are an important area of green space used by the school, for local community sport and informal recreation.

"Responsible access and behaviour is essential to prevent issues like dog fouling, litter and damage to the pitches, and to ensure they can continued to be enjoyed for all purposes.

"Dog fouling is unpleasant and poses a health hazard particularly to children.

"Most dog owners are responsible and clean up after their dogs, but some don't.

"Anyone who doesn't immediately pick up dog waste is committing an offence under the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003 and can receive a fixed penalty fine of £80."