RESIDENTS in West Devon have recently been expressing their frustration over dog fouling and offences taking place in their home towns and parishes.

But hopefully help is on its way after members of the community services committee at West Devon Borough Council approved an increase in the dog warden's working hours.

Currently the dog warden undertakes enforcement under the Dog Fouling of Land Act 1996 and concentrates in areas where town and parish councils make a financial contribution towards his time.

These areas include Bere Ferrers, Chagford, Lifton, Lydford, Mary Tavy, North Tawton, Northlew, South Tawton and Tavistock.

However, with the large area the dog warden covers, and the complex issues he has to undertake, working 22 and a half hours a week, has resulted with only one fixed penalty notice (FPN) being issued in the past 12 months.

It was proposed at the meeting that the working hours of the dog warden be increased on a temporary basis, with an extra day per week, at a cost of £4,800 per annum.

The report to the councillors investigated implementing dog control orders under the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act of 2005, and the role of the dog warden.

The act includes four dog control offences that are possible to control by dog control orders. These include: fouling of land by dogs and removal of dog faeces; the keeping of dogs on leads; not putting a dog on a lead when directed by an officer; and the exclusion of dogs from land.

Cathy Aubertin, street scene manager at West Devon Borough Council, said: 'There is one part-time dog warden. His areas of responsibility have been increased but hours have not so he has been stretched. The impact of this has been complaints of dog fouling.'

Cllr Mike Benson said: 'I am not sure we are getting a proper deal from the service.

'In view of the parish losing money, unless this works soon then my parish would withdraw from the scheme.'

Cllr Jeff Moody said: 'Dog fouling is an issue which has been going on for a long time.'

He added that it was up to the public to take notice of the 'hotspots' and take note of the offenders and report them to West Devon.

Dai Antill, street scene inspector, said: 'As long as someone is prepared to make a statement then we are happy to follow it up.'

Cllr Mandy Ewings said: 'We need to improve this service — if we can't do it properly best not to do it at all.

'People's emotions are high in the town and they are getting irate. We need to be sensible and clear with what we do within the service.'

Councillors agreed to recommend that the officer continues with the necessary work in order to implement appropriate dog control orders across the borough, and an update to be reported to committee.

The decision is subject to ratification of the full council.