A HARDER line is to be taken with people who allow their dogs to foul in Tavistock's Meadows — and then leave the offending matter for others to tread on.

Members of the town council's properties committee last week considered a suggestion that environmentally friendly 'poop bags' could be sold at various council outlets, including the pannier market, in an effort to encourage people to pick up after their dogs.

Councillors were told: 'The poop bags could even have a Tavistock Town Council crest on, with maybe a strapline along the lines of 'Making sure Tavistock stays a cleaner place for everyone'.

'We could also install a poop bag dispenser in the Meadows, so those caught short could quickly nab a free bag to clean up their doggie indiscretions.'

Cllr David Best thought the suggestion was a good one.

'I'm an expert on poop bags,' he said. 'Selling them in the pannier market seems to me a blooming good idea. I think people would gradually get used to seeing them there and take it up.'

Cllr John Sellis said: 'Unfortunately, bags are a good idea, but if people can't be bothered to clear up after their animals, they won't come to the market to buy bags — policing is what is needed.'

The committee was told that under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act, town and parish councils had enforcement powers — but their staff had to undergo appropriate training to issue fines to those who broke the law.

Town clerk Roger Howard said: 'It's a government-run course but unfortunately I think the nearest one is in Swindon — we would have to send our guys up there on an overnight stay.'

Cllr Brian Trew said it was 'perfectly normal' practice to send staff on training courses that sometimes entailed staying away and he had no problem with that.

'The important factor is getting people who are prepared to do it,' he said.

Cllr Ted Sherrell said enforcement of the law was vital in this case.

'If we have to spend money on training staff to enforce the law, sadly, so be it,' he said.

Cllr Sherrell said it appeared the dog warden scheme, run by the borough council, did not seem to be effective enough, and by training town council staff, the problem could be 'blitzed'.

Wayne Southall, the works superintendent, said his staff encouraged members of the public to contact the dog warden with details of persistent offenders.

'He needs details of particular times, places etc.' Mr Southall said that due to the 'potential levels of confrontation', just two members of staff had indicated they would be happy to attend a relevant training course.

The committee agreed that further investigations should take place regarding training, and that the dog warden should be contacted once again regarding dog fouling in the Meadows.

The council's staffing committee would consider whether salary enhancements should be made available to anyone completing this particular training course. The idea of a poop bag dispenser in the Meadows was rejected.