A RESIDENT angry about problems of dog fouling in Bere Alston has offered a £50 reward for information that leads to the successful prosecution of irresponsible owners.

Nathan Potts said he had lived in Bedford Street for five years and dog fouling had always been a problem.

'Bedford Street leads down to the main shopping street with all the amenities so dog walkers go up and down this street all the time,' he said.

'There are little brown mines everywhere — it's like playing Russian roulette with dog poo. I come home sometimes early in the mornings from my shift and have to shovel dog poo away from my front door. I also get this waft of dog urine as I approach my door.

'There are little kids running up and down the street and playing on their bikes and they have to dodge the poo — it is hideous.'

Mr Potts is a residential care worker and a youth worker who uses animal therapy to help children take care of other things and themselves.

'I like animals and am all for keeping pets but allowing dogs to defecate outside people's front doors is not on,' he added.

Mr Potts is encouraging people to be vigilant and make a note of any incidents they see and take photographs.

Problems of dog fouling in the parish were the subject of a special meeting of Bere Ferrers Parish Council recently, attended by West Devon's dog warden.

Councillors were asked to report fouling incidents, including times, names and addresses to the dog warden, who is responsible for the whole borough.

The recreation field was said to be a particular problem and ways of improving the situation were discussed, including having a winter curfew for walking dogs, locking the gates to the field when it got dark and moving the seats from around the football pitch.

It was pointed out that there were no dog bins at all in Bere Alston and the parish council will be looking into the costings and possible signage.

Dog warden Murray Cowley said he would be willing to go to the primary school and address the children about the importance of hygienically picking up dog poo.

Parish councillor Bev Slaughter said: 'It is important that any information about dog fouling incidents is passed onto the dog warden by phoning West Devon Borough Council on 01822 813600.