COUNCILLOR Nan MacFarlane has been successful in her bid to have dogs banned from selected children play areas in Troon on a trial basis.

The Troon ward councillor spoke at last week’s Troon community council meeting about her ambition to have a dog ban on Hosiery park and the Troon Esplanade. 

The ban will also affect areas in Ayr, Prestwick, Symington and Girvan.
However, the councillor was quick to make the point at the meeting that other play areas such as Marr College playing fields would not be affected by this ban due to the ‘right to roam’ act in which dogs ARE banned when the pitch is in use.

The reason for councillor Nan MacFarlane’s bid to have dogs banned from the two play areas in Troon is a healthy and safety concern. Dog faeces can lead to toxocariasis in humans. Toxocariasis causes serious illness and even blindness.

It is caused by a parasite known as Toxocara Canis (also known as Roundworm). 
These parasites live in dogs’ digestive systems. 

If someone ingests infected material, the eggs may hatch into larvae and can lead to toxocariasis.

Toxocariasis usually affects children aged between one and four years.
But cases of toxocariasis have been reported in people of all ages. 
Young children are most at risk from  the infection.

After a meeting with South Ayrshire councillors on Thursday, September 8, Councillor Nan MacFarlane had her bid to have dogs banned in certain play areas in South Ayrshire approved the proposal unanimously. 

Cllr MacFarlane said regarding the matter:“Although it is early stages, I am delighted to see this report being out to consultation to all the relevant agencies, so far the result is positive. 

“At a later date it will go out for public consultation. 

“Dog fouling in play parks is a councillor’s nightmares to find the culprits and then deal with it, but I am especially pleased there seems to be no political opposition to taking this ban forward.

“I’m sure my fellow councillors will all agree that owners who allow dogs to foul youngsters play areas, is totally unacceptable and we need to take action against it and this is what we plan to do."