Rugby Player Hospitalized After Dog Poo Infection on Pitch Sparks Safety Outcry
An amateur rugby player has been hospitalized with a severe infection after falling in dog feces during a match, highlighting significant public health risks on sports pitches. Adam Lang, a 28-year-old player for Tondu RFC, suffered the incident during a game against Crymych on February 14 at Pandy Park in Bridgend, Wales.
Unbearable Pain Leads to Hospital Stay
During a line-out, Lang sustained a small cut on his elbow, which later became infected by dog feces he unknowingly encountered on the pitch. Initially treated by the team's physio, Lang continued playing without realizing the severity of his injury. However, by Saturday evening, he experienced what he described as 'unbearable' pain in his arm.
After visiting A&E on Sunday, doctors discovered the infection had spread to his hand, necessitating immediate hospitalization. Lang was admitted to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, where he spent two days receiving intensive antibiotic treatment via an IV drip to combat the rapidly progressing infection.
Club Chairman Voices Frustration Over Ongoing Issue
Graham Thomas, chairman of Tondu RFC with 40 years of involvement at the club, expressed deep concern over the incident. 'Adam went up in a line-out, came down awkwardly, grazed his elbow and then got on with the rest of the game pretty normal, unknowingly he picked up some dog's mess in his elbow,' Thomas explained. 'Later that evening he went to work, felt a stiffness in his arm, it was swelling up, it progressively got worse then he ended up in hospital.'
Thomas emphasized that this is not an isolated problem. 'It happens with children or the adults, they have to finish training early because they've fallen in dog's mess and they need to get in the shower,' he noted. 'In Adam's case, it's probably someone's picked their dog poo up off the pitch but some has been left, so Adam didn't fall in a big lump of dog poo and had to go off the pitch to clean it off, he didn't realise he'd fallen in it.'
Serious Health Risks and Community Impact
The chairman warned of potentially devastating consequences. 'It's such a risk, it could end up putting kids off, they could go blind or lose a limb, it's a huge risk,' Thomas stated. Pandy Park, owned by the local authority, welcomes hundreds of dog walkers weekly alongside over 400 children and adults who use the sports facilities.
While Thomas acknowledged that 99 percent of dog owners are responsible, he highlighted that a small minority allow their dogs to run freely on sports pitches without supervision. 'They just let their dogs off and they run around the park oblivious to it all,' he lamented.
Call for Stronger Enforcement Measures
Tondu RFC has repeatedly complained to the local authority about dog fouling issues. 'We've complained to the local authority about it quite often and it's at the point where it's really frustrating now,' Thomas said. 'Other bodies around us have instructed Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) on sports pitches, our council are reluctant to do that, why I do not know.'
The club is working with local councillors to push for stricter measures. 'We're badgering them and local councillors are helping us with that, but I don't know what they're waiting for because of the potential dangers of this,' Thomas emphasized.
Player's Recovery and Club's Public Appeal
Lang faces significant recovery time, having missed work and being unable to play rugby for an extended period. In a social media post, Tondu RFC stated: 'This situation is entirely preventable and highlights the serious health risks posed when dog owners fail to clean up after their pets. Our pitches are used by players of all ages, and everyone has the right to train and play in a safe environment.'
The club made a direct appeal: 'This should not be happening. Please keep your dogs off the playing surfaces at Pandy Park. Even if the mess is picked up, the damage has already been done.'
Council Response and Ongoing Review
A Bridgend County Borough Council spokesperson addressed the issue, stating: 'We urge the small minority of dog owners who fail to pick up after their dogs to consider the serious impact their actions can have on other members of the public. We would also like to remind the public that dog fouling is a legally enforceable offence.'
The council confirmed that their Public Spaces Protection Order for Dog Control requires proper cleanup and disposal of dog mess, with carriers required to have disposal means at all times. 'A review of this order is currently taking place and a public consultation will get underway soon,' the spokesperson added.
Furthermore, the council's cabinet has requested a report considering prohibiting dogs from marked sports pitches across the county borough. The spokesperson encouraged public reporting of dog fouling incidents through their website, noting the importance of vigilance as such offenses often occur discretely.
The council regularly promotes responsible dog ownership through campaigns with partners like Keep Wales Tidy. This incident underscores the critical need for continued enforcement and public awareness to ensure sports facilities remain safe for all users.
