ANGRY residents and councillors in Tavistock are kicking up a stink over the growing amount of dog mess left behind by ‘lazy’ dog owners in areas across the town.

Despite the hard work of the DP (dog poo) Squad, headed by town councillor Allen Lewis and a potential fine of up to £1,000 for dog owners caught not picking up after their pets, dog mess has been discovered in certain areas of Tavistock almost daily.

Cllr Lewis said he is worried about the safety of children treading in the dog waste.

One local mum was shocked last week to discover that her little girl had fallen in dog waste while walking with her family along the cycle path between Monksmead and Morrisons.

Cllr Lewis added: ‘My concern is kids going into school with dog poo on their shoes. I saw them the other day near ATS and on Dolvin Road treading in it and taking it into the school. Then, when it gets into the school kids are picking up things from the floor and getting the mess on themselves and as most people know, dog poo can cause blindness.

‘It’s a regular thing here and it happens every day or every other day on the corner of Brook Street going into Market Road. It’s not very nice, especially when you are on the way to go for coffee.

‘The people who let this happen don’t seem to care. Market Street, Bannawell Street and Plymouth Road — all those places have got worse recently.

‘I think it’s because people go out in the dark and think they won’t be caught but it’s the fact that they are doing it in the first place that’s really irresponsible. It’s really lazy of them as it’s not hard to pick up dog poo.

‘I will catch someone in a minute and I’ll video it and make sure the police get it. There is a £1,000 fine if you get caught and it can be proved.

‘I’m really passionate about it and it really concerns me.’

Allen also said that the DP Squad is due to celebrate it’s third birthday.

‘We’ve shovelled and swept and swilled hundreds of piles of dog mess in the Tavistock area. Thank you everyone for all your support.

‘When we first set up the squad Parkwood Road was a minefield. It’s not too bad there anymore so we have had an effect but you do get the odd pile. Everyone is looking over their shoulder at the moment because we are making a fuss about it.’

Allen Lewis also runs the DP Squad Facebook page, where regular posts about dog waste can be shared and viewed by the public and town councillors. The group, which used to be private, was recently made public, after fellow councillor John Sheldon had commented: ‘Is it not about time that this group was open? This is a public concern in Tavistock. A prolific offender is unlikely to join this group and see its content but being able to see it may impact their behaviour.’

Cllr Sheldon, who is on the town and borough council, has also raised concerns about the attention Tavistock receives from the dog warden, which is a service Tavistock Town Council pays West Devon Borough Council to keep running.

He added: ‘The dog warden is contracted from West Devon Borough Council and Tavistock Town Council contributes toward the cost of the dog warden — if it didn’t we wouldn’t have one.

‘I am going to be questioning the attention given by the dog warden and I hope Cllr Allen Lewis will raise the issue at the next town council meeting. Allen is very keen on the issue and probably spots it more than other people – I can only praise his efforts.

‘We do need to find out what is going on with the dog warden. Perhaps we could also review the training given to council staff so they can issue penalty notices to people who let their dogs foul.

‘Market Road is in ownership of Tavistock Town Council so I feel we should be doing something.

‘I believe dog fouling is one up from littering. If you want to be a dog owner, you have to care for all aspects of the dog and that includes clearing up its waste. I would hope dog owners in Tavistock will read this and realise that there are people on the look out hoping to put a stop to the dog mess left behind.’

A West Devon Borough Council spokesperson said: ‘We provide a comprehensive service for dog fouling and litter offences through our locality officers and environmental protection team. Dog waste bins and fouling hotspots are regularly monitored.

‘We offer a parish and town bespoke service for dog fouling offences. If your town or parish is not part of the scheme and would like to be, contact:[email protected]

‘We work hard to keep our towns and countryside clean and will take action against those not using bins provided to dispose of dog waste. If you see dog waste in an area that could cause a health issue, please tell us online at www.westdevon .gov.uk/article/3375/Tell-Us-Online.