Wheelchair user cries foul over dog mess

A WHEELCHAIR-USER has begged dog owners to clean-up after their pets – as he is constantly ploughing through dog mess.

The problem causes cerebral palsy sufferer Mikey O’Doherty immense physical pain and embarrassment, as he has to struggle out of his chair to clean his wheels.

Mikey, 28, from Limerick city, is urging dog-owners to show more responsibility, telling them: ‘Lads, I’m so annoyed. I was on a coffee walk in my wheelchair.

‘I rolled over s**t. I have to get on a bus five days a week with Enable Ireland, and it’s not fair on the staff that have to be putting my wheelchair on the bus, and having to clamp the wheelchair down.

‘It’s very annoying when you bring s**t around with you, so please pick up your dog s**t.’

For most people after stepping in dog poo, it is a case of

‘Wheelchairs can’t be power-washed’

wiping it from our shoes on a grass verge, but for Mikey, it’s a lot more complicated than that, with his wheels caked in the unhygienic mess.

‘I have to get out of my wheelchair and get a bucket of water and clean the wheels with a cloth.

‘You can’t power-wash a wheelchair, because if you do this, all the electrical wires will get wet, and you’d risk it not running,’ he said.

Having to get out of his chair and on to sticks is an immensely painful experience, and the city resident – who is currently studying at Mary Immaculate College – feels he shouldn’t have to endure this problem.

Mikey’s problems were highlighted as Limerick councillors unanimously passed a motion calling for a public awareness campaign on the issue of dumping.