Local TV and press has kept us well informed about the mongrel dog who went walkabout in the Liskeard area. Her name is Holly, not a prickly dog, but from a rescue centre. Her owners had put her into care whilst on holiday in the area, but having been a feral dog she preferred her own company, so she packed her bags and did a moonlight flit. Since then she has led a romany existence, being fed by people living on the western edge of the town. Many residents in the area have seen her as she happily trots along. Gardening, once I called her name and she turned her head briefly to look at me, but carried on her way. Trouble is she doesn't seem to have been trained to use a plastic bag when she feels the need to poop (excrete, if you prefer). The pavements in the area are liberally festooned with doggy droppings - obviously not all from Holly. Our law makers spend a lot of time and ratepayers' money trying to deal with the town's litter without much result. There are still crisp packets, sweet wrappers, takeaway food wrappers, drink bottles etc. the list is endless. In the autumn fallen leaves add to the problem. Gutters and drains soon become blocked, cars and lorries love to give you a free shower as they whizz through puddles. Other items strewn along roads and pavements are cigarette stubs. These are more prolific in the town centre outside those offices that ban smoking. Dog owners, children, teenagers and smokers please take your litter home if you can't find a litter bin.
FREDA BROWN Liskeard