AN expert on the killer disease E coli, Professor Hugh Pennington, said on a recent BBC 'Close Up' documentary that it was probable that the fatal infection contracted by an eight year old Birmingham girl at Dawlish Warren last July may have come from dog faeces.

Possibly, because of the amount of relatively safe manure from grazing animals already found on Whitchurch Down, many otherwise responsible dog owners fail to clean up after exercising their pets on this amenity. Such action is understandable, although somewhat unpleasant for the other moor users.

In the light of Professor Pennington's E coli theory those dog owners with a social conscience, who regularly exercise their animals on the Down, might wish to consider what their reaction would be if a similar fatal tragedy should arise within our community.

The prevention is really down to individual responsibility. But if there is the slightest chance that vulnerable children might become victims, perhaps, like our attitude to drinking and driving, society should become less tolerant over this matter.

C D Crofton

Down Park Drive

Tavistock