SIR — Dog mess seems to be of national interest. I read recently of one northern town council preparing to employ dog wardens to patrol the area at night in vans, armed with night vision cameras and other equipment to catch the careless dog owners - with a maximum £1000 fine.

Apart from the dangers of contravening Article 8 of ECHR Convention (right to privacy), I feel it is just one more sledgehammer to crack a walnut.

The cycle of dog bins is disgusting:

l The dog messes.

l The owner scoops up the result, leaving a residue on the ground and on the scooper. Two disease sources instead of one.

l Dog owner carries offensive bag around until a bin is found.

l Can't find bin, public spirit dies, bag is dropped - three disease sources.

l Finds bin almost full, manages to squeeze bag in, closes lid, bursting bag - another disease source - four disease sources.

It is a revolting series of events.

Solution:

Dog owner feeds dog. One hour later, dog is allowed onto a dog loo area of owner's own property - a dog will usually have the desire to defecate within an hour of feeding.

Dog mess is removed and disposed of down toilet and flushed away, area cleaned with strong disinfectant.

Owner takes dog for a walk where it does not mess in a public place.

By all means take an emergency kit just in case, but once you know your dog's habits, this should never have to be used.

If an owner cannot be bothered to deal with the situation in this way, the dog should be disposed of as an act of kindness.

In 20 years of being a dog owner and using this method, I had to use an emergency method less than a dozen times.

Dogs are not dirty, disgusting animals, they are wonderful pets and companions, workers and guardians - surely they deserve just that extra little care and a better reputation.

Lionel Anthony,

Kilve.