Owners are being urged to take home dog waste after a parasite carried in faeces caused almost half a herd of cattle to lose their calves during pregnancy in the New Forest.
Tom Gould, who farms near Bransgore, turned 38 cattle out to graze in the national park but 18 were found to have been infected by neospora — a bovine parasite found in dog excrement that can make cows much more likely to abort.
Asking owners to take their mess home, Tom told the BBC: "It's gut wrenching - it will take a long time to clear the neospora out of the herd and will have a knock on effect for several years. Picking up dog mess will make a big difference and will be a big help to the commoners."
The parasite, which can survive in the soil and grass for weeks if dog faeces is not picked up immediately, also affects future pregnancies for years. Once ingested by cattle, they can remain infected for life, making the disease difficult to eradicate.
Vet Alex Coombes said recent blood tests confirmed the cattle had been recently exposed to the parasite. "The danger is they are infected for the rest of their lives and current studies show they are six to seven times more likely to abort again," he added.
"I do wonder if the increase in dog numbers and people using of the forest during lockdown has increased the risk of it spreading throughout the forest. Please clear up after your dog responsibly, don't just throw it away - this disease can hang around in the environment for some time."
While it's not the most pleasant job, dog waste is toxic, harbouring bacteria, viruses and parasites. Don't forget to scoop the poop the next time you head out.
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12 dog winter coats to keep your pups cosy
Keep your pup snug and secure with this thick quilted dog jacket from H&M. Perfect for a winter's walk, it has quilted seams, a stand-up collar with an open front, and a belt with a hook and loop fastening at the back.
Designed to resist whatever the weather throws at you, this waterproof dog coat is ideal for older pups with joint problems or less fur and has a particularly warm inner lining.
Keeping warm and snug just got a whole lot easier thanks to this gorgeous waxed coat from Joules. In olive green, it has a tweed lining and beautiful bee prints.
In a gorgeous white, this pocket-detail faux shearling dog jacket has been designed to add an extra layer of warmth during those cold winter days. It has two small holes for their legs, as well as a zipped pocket on the back.
This thermal dog coat is excellent for winter walks, thanks to its self-heating technology.
"Our reflective technology lining, combined with a hollow fibre core maximises the dog coats thermal properties," say petslovescruffs.com. "The thermal dog coat has a fleece collar and chest pad to provide greater comfort, improved fitment and allow unrestricted movement."
A warm pet coat is great to ward off the chill during winter. Not sure which one to pick up? We love this technical dog parka, which has been specially developed for short-haired dogs and dogs without an undercoat.
In olive green, this luxurious Barbour coat is ideal for dogs who like the finer things in life.
On the hunt for a warm knit jumper? To keep your furry friend extra cosy, why not pick up this Barbour jumper. Boasting a unique design with a roll neck for elite comfort, it's perfect for them to wear on a Christmas Day walk.
READ MORE: The Barbour Christmas advert 2021 stars Paddington Bear and his heart-warming family
Made from super-soft fleece fabric, this blue fluffy coat has teddy bear ears attached to keep your dog warm and cosy. It also has a stretch jersey fabric, making it easy to pull on and off.
William Morris fans will love this adorable reversible dog coat in the brand's classic print. With a water-resistant, waxed cotton outer fabric, it also helps to keep rain off.
OVER GLAM Medium faux leather sleeveless dog jacket
This sleeveless dog jacket looks so cosy! It has small holes for their legs and black poppers to keep them cosy.
In vibrant blue, this microfibre dog coat is light and absorbent to offer protection from getting cold. It has a click fastener on the back and openings for legs and tail.
