A PATH in Tavistock has been the target of incessant dog fouling — and residents have said enough is enough.

According to a local anti-dog fouling campaign group the DP Squad the main area of concern in the town is the canal path, which runs adjacent to Tavistock College.

Parents have commented that the issue of people not picking up after their dogs has intensified in recent months, with some children even falling over onto dog mess.

Brett Ellis, one of the parents, said the canal path and the cycle path from Monksmead bridge to Tavistock Primary School had seen such an increase in dog fouling that pupils and students were traipsing it into the schools.

‘There has been fouling on the path but also in the grass just on the edges of the path,’ he said. ‘I spent 20 minutes cleaning mess off our son’s bike tyre recently — it’s anti-social, irritating, disgusting and dangerous.’

One mum said on social media that the canal path was ‘really bad’ and that hundreds of children walked along the path daily and must have been treading dog muck into the school.

Tavistock councillor and DP Squad founder Allen Lewis said: ‘I have huge concerns about the children getting dog mess on them and carrying it into school.

‘It is so unfair to see parents struggle to avoid dog mess and concentrate on the children at the same time. I have heard many stories now of dog mess getting into people’s houses.

‘It is every dog owner’s responsibility to pick up after them — I wish people were fined.’

Cllr Robert Sampson, lead member for waste and street cleansing at West Devon Borough Council, said: ‘Dog owners should really pick up after their pets as it is a real health hazard, especially for young children.

‘The laws around issuing fines are currently being changed but we encourage people to report incidents of dog fouling to us and you can do this online at www.westdevon.gov.uk/reportit

‘If there is an area where it is a problem or health hazard then please report it to us. Where possible, we will increase patrols and signage in the area and we can also arrange for the area to be cleaned.’