A CALLINGTON resident irritated by having to 'dodge dog mess' when walking through the town has spearheaded an online campaign targeting irresponsible dog owners.

The Facebook page 'Callington Pick Up Your Dog Poo' was set up by coach driver Scott Williamson after noticing a big problem with dog fouling in the town.

Scott, who lives in the town with his partner Laura and their seven-year-old son, also named Scott, said: 'My motivation to set up this campaign was that I got fed up of having to dodge dog mess when walking into town, especially at night when you can't see it. Also the fact that people are letting their dogs roam in local parks where there are dog banning orders and not cleaning up after their dogs. My son plays in these parks and it can have serious health effects.

'The town over the past few years has been blighted by this problem and from what I can see, others have had enough as well. My campaign aims to target areas that are blighted by this and to try to educate the minority of dog owners who do not pick up after their dogs — some even do pick up the mess and then discard it in hedges, trees and even people's gardens. This is not acceptable.'

Scott set up the Facebook campaign only three weeks ago and already has 131 followers and according to the website, it has been seen by more than 700 people. He has also received support on Twitter from Cheryl Murray MP and Cornwall Councillor for Callington and Callington Portreeve Andrew Long.

'I've contacted Cornwall Council and have had a meeting with the dog warden Simon Diaper, who has been very helpful and given me advice and literature,' said Scott.

'He says the problem though is catching these people in the act. They need people's help and that's where this campaign comes in.'

Scott is encouraging people who see someone fail to pick up after their dog to write on the Facebook page stating where and when it happened.

This, together with a description of the owner and/or a description of their vehicle (if relevant) will be collated by Scott and forwarded to the appropriate authorities.

People can also forward this information on to Cornwall Council's dog warden site http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/">www.cornwall.gov.uk/ environment-and-planning/animal-welfare/dog-welfare-and-enforcement-service

Town clerk at Callington Town Council Helen Dowdall said: 'Callington Town Council and Cornwall Council are acutely aware of the issue of dog fouling around the town. We have recently completed training of our staff to enable them to issue fines for those owners caught allowing their dogs to foul without taking the responsibility to remove the mess afterwards.

'The town council has also managed to confirm with Cornwall Council that standard waste bins can be used to deposit the mess.

'The biggest problem though, is that we need to catch the owners who are failing to clean up after their dogs. In the modern era of social media, and phones with cameras, we need help from the rest of the public in providing the information to enable the council to prosecute those owners. There is only so much that the councils can do without evidence provided.

'We can assure you that Cornwall Council will prosecute if the evidence is secured.'

Anyone who would like to support the campaign can visit the page at http://www.facebook">www.facebook. com and search 'Callington Pick Up Your Dog Poo'.