British rugby player hospitalised with 'unbearable' pain after falling in dog poo
A Tondu RFC player spent two nights in hospital on an IV drip after a cut became severely infected due to dog mess.
A British rugby player was hospitalised hours after a match due to an infection caused by dog poo contaminating the pitch. Tondu RFC revealed that one of their players spent two nights in hospital receiving intensive antibiotic treatment after a cut on his arm became severely infected because of dog mess on their home ground of Pandy Park in Ynysawdre, south Wales. Club chairman Graham Thomas described the incident involving player Adam Lang, 28, as "incredibly dangerous", leaving him unable to work or play rugby for an indefinite period.
The club expressed its exasperation, noting that it's not the first time players have encountered dog mess on the field. It has urged dog owners to keep their pets off the playing fields at Pandy Park to ensure everyone's safety and called for more action to prevent owners from allowing their pets to foul the grass. Adam was in good health before Tondu's first team match against Crymych RFC at home on Saturday, February 14, but within hours of the game, he noticed a problem with his arm.
Graham explained that the issue progressively worsened, with the redness rapidly spreading down his arm and causing pain. "It got to the point where he realised he needed to go to hospital by Sunday evening," he said. Adam was taken to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital where medics informed him that a cut on his arm had become infected due to dog faeces.
He remained in hospital for 48 hours undergoing intensive antibiotic treatment through an IV drip. He has been compelled to take leave from his role as a team leader at a factory due to the infection, and is facing an extended period away from rugby all because of something that was "entirely preventable", Graham said.
"Rugby players know that playing the sport carries a risk of injury but this is something completely separate and can be avoided - that's the most frustrating thing. Adam played on Saturday and had a great game.
"He loves his rugby and has played for the club for a long time but woke up on the Sunday morning to find he had a raging infection. The fact that he had to receive intensive antibiotics just tells you how severe that infection was so it's good that he went to hospital when he did. In a worst-case scenario, people can lose limbs as a result of something like this."
Graham added that he fears people may begin to "question whether playing sport is good for them" if dog mess on pitches is permitted to continue blighting grassroots sports.
He said Pandy Park is "very well used" by approximately 250 children in Tondu RFC's mini, junior and youth teams and over 100 senior players training at the facility each week. Aberkenfig BGC and Tondu Robins FC also utilise the playing fields on a weekly basis.
This isn't the first occasion Tondu RFC have encountered problems with dog fouling at Pandy Park. Graham explained that despite the club doing everything possible to inspect the pitch ahead of training sessions and matches, children have repeatedly been forced to end training prematurely after falling into dog mess.
Graham stated: "99 per cent of dog owners are very responsible and we're more than happy to see them there because it's their park and their community and we want to see the park used but when that 1 per cent of irresponsible of dog walkers let their dogs go to the toilet on the field it's obviously really dangerous."
He revealed the club has raised the matter with Bridgend council on multiple occasions but suggested there appears to be "a reluctancy to act". Graham noted that elsewhere in Wales, councils have implemented public space protection orders prohibiting people from walking their dogs on playing fields.
"With the risks these infections carry it's insane that this isn't followed suit across the country," Graham stated. Bridgend council confirmed it is weighing up whether to ban dogs from sport pitches throughout the county borough.
A statement from Tondu RFC declared: "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.
"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."
A spokesperson for Bridgend County Borough Council stated: "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.
"Our Public Spaces Protection Order for Dog Control requires anyone in control of a dog in a public space to clean up and appropriately dispose of any dog mess, and to also carry a bag or other means of disposal at all times. A review of this order is currently taking place and a public consultation will get underway soon.
"In addition to this, we can confirm that our cabinet has recently requested a report which considers prohibiting dogs from marked sports pitches across the county borough.
"If members of the public witness any instances of dog fouling, we would encourage them to report it by completing a form on our website. This is all the more important given dog fouling is often carried out discretely. We also regularly promote the importance of picking up dog mess as well as sharing campaigns form partners such as Keep Wales Tidy."
