Wise said dog poo also carried a “really nasty parasite called neospora which can cause abortion, miscarriage and problems with pregnancy”.
“There are also tape worms, which are common in dogs but hugely impactful in sheep and cattle, especially when we’re trying to reduce wormer use in the industry,” she said.
“The main issue with it is that your dog might poo today, but the parasites can live in pasture for months and months.
“If a dog poos near hay or winter feed, it can also have devastating impacts on flocks and herds.”
Wise said the issue was more prevalent in areas of high footfall, “for example, near the coast-to-coast routes”.
“You love your pets, we love our animals. Just pick up after your dog – it’s not rocket science,” she added.
