THE dog warden scheme designed to curb the actions of irresponsible dog owners in Okehampton's Simmons Park will be extended to other areas of the town.

Town councillors chose to extend the scheme as they decided to renew the warden's contract at the parks committee meeting last week.

The scheme has proved effective in the park, lowering the level of dog fouling there. But the council has again received a large number of complaints relating to dog fouling elsewhere in the town — North Street, Oaklands Drive and Fatherford Lane are among the worst affected areas.

A dog warden was first introduced in the park in September 2011. Visiting at various times of the day throughout the month, the warden patrols the park in a high-visibility jacket, educating dog owners on how to act responsibly in the park.

After the initial three-month trial ended, the town council decided to keep the scheme in place for a further three months, up to the end of the financial year. Now that time period has passed, the council will retain the scheme.

The warden will continue to patrol the park, but will also visit other parts of the town not previously in his remit in an effort to drive down dog fouling across Okehampton.

Cllr Paul Vachon said: 'We do need to continue with the dog warden in the park, but we need him to cover other problem areas in the town.'

Chairman of the parks committee Cllr Dave Weekes agreed: 'Having the warden patrol the town and look at the problem areas can only be a good thing.'

The council is also considering the possibility of enforcing a Dog Control Order. The legislation would allow the town council to make an order under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, replacing old byelaws.

The order would provide the ability to act on five offences, including failure to remove dog faeces, and failure to keep a dog under control on a lead.

Breach of a control order can attract a maximum fine of level three on the standard scale, which is £1,000.