A WEST Devon resident was fined £125 in fines and costs by Plymouth Magistrates Court recently — the first case to be brought under the borough council's dog warden scheme.
Two other residents have been issued with fixed penalty notices under the scheme — they have paid the £25 fine.
Dave Arscott, of West Devon Borough Council's environmental health department, said: 'We are taking the policy now that if people are found to be committing an offence they will be issued with a fixed penalty ticket.
'If they pay within 14 days that negates the offence — if people don't pay they will have to go to court.'
Mr Arscott said the borough was 'very grateful' to the majority of dog owners who behaved responsibly and cleared up after their dogs.
'It's the minority we are determined to deal with and if that means a prosecution, so be it.'
Mr Arscott said the foot and mouth crisis had proved a 'double-edged sword' in that it had brought home to people the necessity of using dog bins when exercising their pets — but only a huge amount of extra work by council staff had avoided a 'very serious' health problem.
'The majority of people deserve praise. We are not anti-dog by any means, it's the irresponsible owners we are after,' Mr Arscott said.
Sixteen West Devon parishes contribute to the borough's dog warden scheme — there is just one part-time warden to cover these parishes. Local councils are now being consulted on how the scheme can be improved.
'We are looking at a ten-year scheme to achieve a cultural change in people's behaviour,' said Mr Arscott.
'I think the general feeling is that the more officer time you have available the better you do the job, but it comes down to cost. The parishes are the same as the borough, they have limited funds.'
The present dog warden is to leave the post at the end of June — the vacancy is due to be advertised locally.