A TAVISTOCK man is threatening to withhold his council tax if nothing is done about the 'disgusting' quantities of dog faeces in the playpark area of the Meadows.

Chris Ellicott said he is sick and tired of irresponsible dog owners who allow their dogs to foul in the children's play area and he felt the borough and town councils were not enforcing the by-laws in the area.

'If I had my way I would stop all dogs going in the park — something has to be done about it. It's just disgusting, it really upsets me,' he said.

Mr Ellicott regularly takes his daughter to the park to play but said he is being put off by the dog problem.

'It's getting terrible down there. Dog owners have the whole of Benson Meadow, so why do they have to go in the children's area and let them foul? It's a park meant for children, not a dog toilet.

'We pay for services through our rates and if I can't use the facilities because of the state they are in, I shall withold a percentage of my rates.'

The Meadows is owned by the town council. Under local by-laws, dogs are permitted off the lead in Benson Meadow and Pearce's Meadow, and on the lead in all other areas.

The 'poop-scoop' bins are provided by the council, but emptied by West Devon Borough Council, which also employs a dog warden to try and make sure dog owners behave in a responsible manner.

The part-time warden covers parishes in the borough which contribute financially towards the scheme.

Tavistock town clerk Roger Howard said: 'Unfortunately we don't have any sort of guard force we can put into the Meadows to make people obey the rules, which are quite clearly displayed on every gate.

'We have to rely on community spirit and members of the public to tick people off if they ignore the rules.'

Col Howard sympathised with Mr Ellicott and said a suggestion to fence off the play area was being put to the next meeting of the properties committee.

'At least that would keep the dogs out of that area, and keep the kiddies, particularly little ones, in,' said Col Howard.

Andy Avens, area environmental health officer for the borough council, said: 'The Meadows is a high risk area as far as we are concerned, and we do monitor it.

'We target our resources towards problem areas. If we get complaints from the town council, councillors or members of the public we get down there and investigate.

'The dog warden scheme is successful, complaints have been falling and the scheme is currently under review.'

Mr Avens urged members of the public who felt there was a dog fouling problem in particular areas of the borough to contact his office, so the dog warden could be alerted.

Lesley Halton, borough treasurer, said if Mr Ellicott carried out his threat, the council would be forced to carry out its normal procedures which could end up in a court summons.

'I can appreciate why people feel like this, but unfortunately council tax collection goes on regardles,' she said.