Dog walkers find human waste and snail bait at popular Mitcham park

Human excrement has been found at a popular Mitcham park, sparking fears someone is dumping portaloo waste. It’s put the health of a pregnant woman at risk, and it’s not the only grim discovery that’s been made.

There have been regular dumpings of human excrement at a Mitcham park.

Piles of human faeces and a dog treat filled with snail pellets have been found at a popular Mitcham park, sparking safety fears.

Signs have been posted around Simpson Park as Heatherdale Creek Parklands Advisory Committee warn park-goers about the hazards.

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Committee secretary Val Turnbull said at least four piles of human waste had been dumped in the park in the past two months, with the most recent appearing last week, less than a metre from a footpath.

The large quantities of faeces are believed to be caused by someone illegally emptying a portaloo.

Multiple park users have reported concerns and sightings of the waste to the committee and Whitehorse Council.

“People are horrified and disgusted,” Ms Turnbull said.

“But apart from how disgusting it is, our concern is the health issue.

“We have to get it solved quickly before someone gets sick or a dog gets sick.”

Dog walkers at Simpson Park say there have been regular dumpings of human excrement found as well as a dog treat filled with snail bait.

She said she had “grave concern” for the health of a woman whose dog rolled in the human excrement.

The dog transferred the faeces onto his owner, who was five months pregnant.

She said the waste also put children at risk, who could easily come across the mess as they played.

Ms Turnbull said dog walkers were taking to keeping their pets restrained in the off-lead park to avoid them coming into contact with the waste.

They have also been keeping their dogs close for another reason since April 4 — when a dog found what appeared to be a poisonous bait near the carpark.

The dog’s owner took the chewy dog treat from his pet’s mouth and found it had been stuffed with green pellets, which appeared to be snail bait.

Ms Turnbull said she couldn’t understand why someone seemed to have intentionally tried to bait dogs. “The people who walk there are dog-lovers.”

Council general manager corporate services Peter Smith said the council was aware of both issues at Simpson Park.

He said officers had removed the waste from the park, and officers and police would step up patrols.

He said the source of the waste was difficult to identify without witnesses.

“Anyone witnessing the dumping of human waste should report the matter to council or police.”

Mr Smith said the RSPCA had been made aware of the reports of the snail bait.