A man has urged dog owners to pick up after their pets after a sporting injury 17 years left him with life changing infection.
Darryl Adams, 50, was hospitalised in 2005 after his shin was stamped on with rugby boot studs covered in dog poo.
The studs cut the skin on his shin and the dog poo caused a cellulitis infection which has never properly healed.
READ MORE: Mum mistook serious illness for gym pain until she listened to her voicemail
The Welsh HGV driver is taking part in a national dog fouling campaign after he has spent almost two decades suffering with a leg that has "never been right" since it was infected.
Mr Adams said: “I ended up having a week in hospital and the doctor who treated me said that once you get cellulitis, all it takes is something small to trigger it off again.
"The infection flared up twice between 2005 and 2013 - the last flare up in 2013 was the worst.
"All it took was heavy flu to trigger it and I was hospitalised for two weeks because the infection had tracked into my veins.
"Ever since then my leg has never been right, it is constantly swollen and looks awful - all from some selfish person who couldn't be bothered to pick up after their dog."
Dog poo remains a persistent issue in communities across the country and a new dog fouling campaign, aims to raise awareness of the health risks associated with dog poo.
As well as carrying harmful bacteria which can lead to infection, asthma and even blindness, bacteria can live in soil long after the dog poo has decomposed.
Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive Lesley Jones said: “We urge the minority of irresponsible dog owners to do the right thing and pick up after their pets. By not picking up after your dog, you could be putting people at risk.
"Darryl’s story highlights just how harmful dog poo can be for people.
"Dog poo isn’t just an unpleasant mess, it can be dangerous.
"Please bag it, bin it and leave only pawprints when you’re out and about.”
Receive newsletters with the biggest and breaking TV and showbiz news by signing up here
