e has been putting up signs in the hope that dog owners will desist from leaving dog poo in public places. Photo / Facebook
e has been putting up signs in the hope that dog owners will desist from leaving dog poo in public places. Photo / Facebook
A disabled father-of-four on a one-man mission to rid his town of dog poo claims he has received hate mail for trying to keep the place clean.
Steven Heard, who is deaf, diabetic and suffers mobility problems, picks up muck in his hometown of Minehead, Somerset, and said the problemis so bad he can fill up to 50 bags a day.
But the 47-year-old, who spray paints messages on pathways and puts up countless signs in a bid to get owners to clear up after their pets, claims his targets are now kicking up a stink.
The former carpenter has even been investigated by police over graffiti.
In letters, an anonymous opponent has compared Steven to a "fat silver-back gorilla", threatened to start dumping dog poo at his property if he continues with his clean up campaign.
Dog faeces has also been cropped onto a picture of his mobility scooter and Mr Heard as also been told to 'get a job'.
Steven said: "I keep getting mess on the wheels of my mobility scooter and I've been complaining to council for three years.
"Seventy per cent of locals are on my side saying 'well done and keep fighting' but the others give me a mouthful and post vile messages on Facebook as well sending vile letters in the post.
"The first one I got was very shocking, another two came the next day which upset me and my wife.
"One was of my scooter with dog mess on it which means that someone had to copy my pictures from my Facebook page.
"They said they were going to dump dog poo in my garden if I carry on."
Steven, who has Meniere's disease, which causes hearing deterioration, was forced to quit his carpentry job of 30 years for health and safety reasons when he went completely deaf five years ago.
e has been putting up signs in the hope that dog owners will desist from leaving dog poo in public places. Photo / Facebook
The disease, which also causes vertigo and loss of balance, meant he was forced to sell his work tools to buy a mobility scooter to help him keep his independence.
Campaigner Steven now drives around his neighbourhood up to four times a week clearing up with his Yorkshire terriers, Ant and Dec.
Steven, who claims he sends West Somerset council video evidence and has set up several Facebook groups on the issue, was investigated by police after spray painting the ground to encourage people to pick up the mess.
And the dad-of-four said wife Tracy, 41, and children Becky, 21, Danielle 19, Amy, 17, and 13-year-old Tasha are supportive of his efforts but worry about the abuse he receives.
Tracy said: 'He shouldn't even have to pick up other people's dog poo but he does and he's just trying to keep Minehead a nice place.
"These people are just throwing it back in his face and it's not fair.
