The Foveaux Walkway that follows the Bluff coastline is so littered with dog poo it splatters rangers doing work on the track. Photo: Department of Conservation
Dogs may be banned from a popular Southland track due to the obscene levels of faeces being left behind.
The Department of Conservation said the Foveaux Walkway, which follows the Bluff coastline, was a huge drawcard for locals, tourists and their furry friends.
Acting operations manager for Murihiku, Jono Airey, said owners were leaving "obscene" amounts of their dog's poo behind and the long-term issue was getting worse.
It had made track maintenance a dangerous and disgusting job for rangers, Airey said.
"They return covered from head-to-toe in dog excrement thrown about by scrub-cutters. They even wear face shields to protect themselves.
"You wouldn't wish it on anyone."
Dog faeces contain germs which can harm people and wildlife.
Kekeno/fur seals, pakake/sea lions, tītī, shag, and tawaki/Fiordland crested penguin are among the species spotted in the area.
Hundreds of people visited each day to take in the views, but dogs would not be accompanying them if their owners didn't step up and clean up after them, he said.
Currently, dogs on a lead were allowed on the track.
The department planned to add new signs to remind owners and would monitor the situation before making any decisions on future dog access to the track.
"Dog poo bins aren't an option for us, they encourage fly tipping and illegal dumping and require a level of maintenance we can't resource," Airey said.
"People tramping in our backcountry carry out human rubbish and waste to protect our natural environments, so we're sure visitors to the urban Foveaux Walkway can manage the much easier job of cleaning up after their dogs."
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