RESIDENTS in Okehampton have expressed outrage at the growing amount of dog mess left behind by ‘careless’ dog owners in the town.

Despite a potential fine of £1,000 for dog owners caught not picking up after their pets, dog faeces has been found by residents in certain areas of the town almost daily.

Brian Budd, whose 85-year-old mother lives in Fern Meadow, expressed concerns that someone had continued to allow their dog to mess in people’s front gardens, including his mother’s, and said she was too frail to clear it up.

He said: ‘Someone is allowing their dogs to poo in people’s front gardens. We don’t know when it’s happening and it’s annoying for my 85-year-old mother who has to keep bending down to pick it up.

‘Most of the people in the area with dogs are responsible but obviously there is someone around who doesn’t care.’

Jane Ingram, a resident of Moorcroft Close, shared similar grievances about the growing amount of dog mess around the town.

She said: ‘I regularly walk along Fatherford Lane down to the river and follow the delightful path along the valley up towards Belstone. Unfortunately, the beauty of the place is ruined by inconsiderate and thoughtless dog owners, who, having put their dog’s waste in a plastic bag, then just leave it at the side of the path.

I recently saw at least four such bags in less than a couple of hundred yards of each other. Why do owners do this? What do they think is going to happen to these bags, since there are no dog waste bins in these sorts of areas? Why can’t these owners simply move the waste off the paths out of sight and into undergrowth, where it will rot harmlessly away? Such owners spoil it for the responsible ones who use their common sense!’ 

A spokesperson for West Devon Borough Council said: ‘We are determined to deal with the foul issue of dog mess in and around local communities.

‘Dog mess is unsightly, unpleasant and a health hazard because it can spread disease, or in extreme cases, cause blindness.

‘Therefore, please make sure when walking your dog, you pick up your dog waste, bag it and bin it. Remember, any dog or litter bin can be used. If you are a dog owner, you have a legal and moral duty to clean up every time your dog messes in a public place.

‘To overcome this issue, the council is calling on residents to do their part by reporting any incidents, with the location, days and times witnessed.

‘This means the enforcement officers can try be in the right place at the right time, to deal with repeat offenders quickly.’

Dog fouling can be reported online at www.westdevon.gov.uk/article/7397/Dog-Fouling

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