We have two businesses in Helston, and are now increasingly annoyed at the number of irresponsible dog owners who bring their animals into the town centre.

Pavement mess has to be cleared up most mornings to stop customers treading it into our premises, mess that has been left by dogs. If this is not enough, we have recently experienced one owner physically putting his animal into the ope alongside our premises so that it could do its business out of sight of passers by - and then refusing to pick up the mess.

Dogs are also encouraged to pee against shop fronts, leaving unpleasant smells - which inevitably attract more dogs.

Why is there a need for dogs to be brought into the town centre? It must be unpleasant for the animals to walk on a hard surface all of the time, instead of being taken for a decent run in open countryside (which might do some of the owners a world of good as well. and help them to lose a few kilos). Why do these selfish people not realise that they are bespoiling the centre of Helston by their actions? If people cannot be responsible for their pets, they ought not to own a dog.

Police patrols in the town centre might help, but when did anyone last see a policeman in the area on foot? (Perhaps they are afraid of treading in something).

Please publish a request to dog owners: clean the mess up, or clear off and let the dog mess on its own doorstep.

Tanya Roberts

Helston