Navigating foul 'minefields'

I read recently that Sliema council had one of the highest revenues generated by traffic offences. While that is all well and good, I feel that more attention should be dedicated to other areas where the public seems to flout the law with impunity.

These days, stepping out into the world on a bright new morning is not without its hazards for Sliema residents and can sometimes be more akin to stepping into a bowl of chocolate blancmange, albeit without the pleasant aroma.

It sometimes amazes me how some of these annoying, yapping little mutts can produce such copious quantities of filth, and how their owners, on a daily basis, allow them to do so on the public footpaths without fear of retribution.

Often this takes place directly in front of a private residence or residential block, such is the selfishness of these people. Is it really too much trouble to utilise a poop-scoop, or are they afraid of getting their hands dirty? They're certainly not afraid of getting other people's shoes (and consequently their homes) dirty!

This is to say nothing of the bigger dogs, which often leave objects resembling fallen trees across the pavements, leaving residents the unpleasant option of mincing gingerly through a veil of flies and odour or crossing the road to avoid the hazard completely.

Why is the law concerning this matter not being enforced in Sliema? Bearing in mind that much of the fouling takes place in Depiro Street, the same street which houses the local council, one can be forgiven for assuming that maybe they like it this way.

However I, for one, do not and recently had the pleasure of traipsing unknowingly into a minefield of the stuff, which I then expertly transferred to my vehicle's pedals and carpets (the carpets had to be replaced). Thank God I did not find a ticket affixed to my windscreen to complete the experience.

One can be forgiven for thinking that I am not an animal lover - I am a great animal lover, although my idea of pleasant contact with a creature is through my hand to its fur and not my flip-flopped foot into the middle of a steaming doggie present.

Dog faeces can cause a multitude of diseases. Can something please be done to get the situation under control?