THE town council is urging dog owners to take responsibility for clearing up their pet's mess after another increase in dog fouling across Okehampton.

The council has made efforts to crack down on the issue, liaising with police and West Devon Borough Council about efforts to prosecute owners who failed to clear up after their animals.

The town council is also looking to place new signs to encourage people to use the dog waste bins dotted around Okehampton. They recently recruited volunteer Jonathan Dean as an authorised dog waste officer to go around the town at least once a week, clearing up dog mess left on the pavements, walkways and in Simmons Park.

However, at the parks committee meeting last week councillors noted reports of increased fouling across the town.

Chair Cllr David Weekes said: 'It is definitely on the increase again. Up at the football pitch I have seen people letting their dogs loose on the field, and it is a big problem.

'I have also seen fouling in the children's play area. It is disgusting. People need to pick it up.'

Mayor Cllr the Rev Mike Davies said: 'The problem is widespread across Okehampton, and seems to be getting worse. We looked into the warden scheme, but nothing changed. As councillors, the first thing we hear about from people and they ask us about is the fouling problem.

'I have recently been to the children's centre and the school, and it was the first thing they mentioned. There are many who clean up after their dogs but there are people that need to be responsible and clean up after their dogs.'

Cllr Maureen McDonald urged people to deposit their dog waste in normal bins as well as dog bins: 'The thing is you don't need a dog bin. If the dog waste is in a plastic bag, the official line is that it can be put safely into any bin. There is absolutely no excuse for people not to do it.

'They can take it home or find a bin easily enough.'

The council will continue with efforts to prosecute those who fail to clean up after their dogs.