POSTERS showing Christmas trees 'decorated' with dog poo bags pictured against a backdrop of iconic Cornish beauty spots are being distributed by Cornwall Council's dog welfare and enforcement team to make dog owners think about the impact their lack of action and lack of consideration has on the environment.

Cornwall Council head of public protection and business support Allan Hampshire said: 'We have probably all experienced the frustration of seeing a full dog poo bag suspended from a hedgerow, tree or left by a footpath. We are taking that image to the extreme by showing a Christmas tree decorated with poo bags against the backdrop of some lovely places in Cornwall.

'We are saying to people that once you have taken the time to scoop and bag the poop, please put the bag in any litter bin or take it home and put it in your own bin. There is no excuse not to take responsibility for your dog.'

The campaign is being run following an increase in fouling and littering issues when the days are short and dog owners are walking their pets in darkness. Anyone caught throwing or leaving bagged dog waste or not properly removing dog waste will face an £80 fixed penalty or prosecution.