DOG owners must act responsibly or risk being banned from using Simmons Park — that was the warning from Okehampton Town Council last week.

Councillors on the parks committee expressed concern at the lack of respect shown by some dog walkers and the rise of dog mess in Simmons Park, as well as in and around the town.

Mayor of Okehampton Cllr David Weekes said: 'The problem is getting really bad, but it is just a few people spoiling it for others.

'It's a shame because it ruins it for the majority of dog owners who are responsible and clean up after their pets.

'It's not nice to see and it doesn't give a good image of the town.'

Cllr Weekes said if people continued to act irresponsibly, dogs could be banned from the park.

He said: 'We need people to report anyone seen on a regular basis letting their dog mess and not cleaning it up.

'They should report it to the dog warden at West Devon Borough Council, who would be interested to find out the most problematic places in the town.

'There's a possibility that if it doesn't improve, we will have to look at other ways of protecting the park, which could result in banning dogs from the park.

'It's not just the mess, it's the health reasons too.

'If people can't be bothered to pick up after their dog, then how do they look after them with regards to worming, etc?'

Posters urging people to clear up after their dogs will be put up around the town.

Borough, county and town councillor Christine Marsh said the mess affected everyone.

She said: 'Wherever there is a green space, they seem to go.

'Unfortunately, it's also happening on the side of footpaths and by the college, even with a dog bin right beside it.

'People just don't seem to care and they seem to have no responsibility for their own actions.

'There's no sense of pride, which is sad because it means people don't care about their town or where they live.'

Cllr Marsh said the fouling could affect the town's tourism.

'It doesn't look good when we have visitors and that is where our income comes from — we rely on outside money to give the area some wealth.

'We try desperately to make Okehampton an attractive place for people to come and stay, but they won't want to if there's mess everywhere.

'We appreciate people have to exercise their dogs, but at least do it responsibly.

'The other day I had to actually pick somebody else's dog mess up, because I knew it was Sport Relief in the park.

'It's just not acceptable. Nowadays people are not looked upon as odd if they are carrying a bag with them — it's just common decency.'

To report a dog owner not clearing up their pets mess, phone 01822 813600.