A CALL has gone out to every parish in West Devon to look out for areas of land for 'further investigation' in order to make them available for use by dog owners.

The request, from the borough council's head of environmental services, Nick Payne, comes in response to concerned pet owners wanting somewhere to excercise their dogs off the lead.

Many owners have contacted the council as they were frustrated by restrictions caused by the foot and mouth crisis — in an infected area, pet owners cannot let their dogs run loose.

Mr Payne has told parish councils: 'We have already received a number of requests from the public for areas of land to be made available for exercising dogs lawfully.

'By appealing for your assistance in the identification of areas which can be risk-assessed, we may be able to identify and release areas of land for public access and in so doing facilitate continuing public co-operation with the current restrictions.'

West Devon Council spokesperson Alison Stoneham has also said that in response to pet owners' enquiries a dedicated answerphone has been set up.

'If people leave their name and address, we can send them our information leaflet, or they can download the information from our website,' she said.

The number to call is 01822 813731. The website can be found at http://www.westdevon.gov.uk">www.westdevon.gov.uk