Discourteous dog walkers who fail to clean up after their pets have led to the animals being banned from the main ring at the Botanical Gardens.The Department of Parks said yesterday it had been experiencing serious problems with dog dirt at the Gardens and the Aboretum despite signs, manpower and “Dogipots” to help dispose of waste.Some dog walkers have not been picking up mess, according to the Department, and some have been “abusive and disrespectful” towards staff when asked to do so.The problem means the main ring will be out of bounds to dogs from today onwards and owners disobeying the restriction will be prosecuted under the Bermuda National Park Regulations 1988.The Department said in a statement: “These beautiful facilities have been opened as a privilege for the owners and handlers to have their dogs on site, while in other jurisdictions the practice is usually forbidden in similar facilities.“Unfortunately, in the main ring and other grass locations about the Botanical Gardens, several handlers and owners have failed to collect or have blatantly refused to collect their dogs’ waste, even after being instructed to do so by employees of the Department of Parks.“Some of these handlers and owners have also been abusive and disrespectful towards staff who have been giving them direction on the privilege and proper etiquette when having animals in the facilities.“Members of the general public have also disregarded signs informing them of closure for specific areas.“Employees have had their clothes and body parts contaminated with the waste during the operation of equipment such as lawn mowers.“In addition, the problem has been compounded where dogs have defecated in flower beds and staff members have had their hands soiled during weeding and planting.”Online readers of The Royal Gazette responded to news of the ban with disappointment yesterday.Tony Brannon wrote on our website: “Instead of encouraging owners and reminding pet lovers of the etiquettes required, we simply BAN dogs from the ring. Crack a nut with a sledgehammer the Bermudian way.”Patricia Gieringer said: “Very sad to hear this news. We often take our dog to socialise at the main ring at BG. Our group are all extremely diligent about abiding by the rules. Shame on the folks that have spoiled this fun playtime for our beloved pets.”l Useful website: www.gov.bm