SIR — In response to the letter expressing the views of the Watchet Dog Owners Forum (Your Letters, September 14): Taking a dog for a walk means finding a place for it to exercise, urinate and defecate.

It is evident that a significant number of dog owners fail to do this responsibly and, with the best will in the world, those that do clear up after their dogs cannot always clear up without leaving some mess.

Using an area of grass for this purpose is wholly inconsistent with it being used as a play and recreation area for young people.

The council and the memorial ground committee are merely recognising this and responding to a situation where 'self policing' does not work. Let's be fair to our young people and offer them a safe, clean space to play.

Allan Dyer,

Fairfield Drive,