DOG control orders (DCO) were once again under the spotlight last week, after people complained that hounds were not on leads during Tavistock's Boxing Day hunt meet, when their dogs were.

A number of queries were made to a Tavistock town councillor over the DCOs, with people claiming the authorities were allowing the law to be bent for the benefit of the Spooners and West Dartmoor Hunt.

At the properties committee meeting of Tavistock Town Council last Tuesday (January 13), Cllr Colin Rogers told members that he had been approached by town residents after the event.

'They wondered why the hounds were not on leads when their dogs were,' said Cllr Rogers, acting committee chairman.

The dog control orders came into effect on October 22 last year and are enforced by West Devon Borough Council with Tavistock Town Council as the consultees.

The orders cover dog exclusion, fouling on land by dogs and dogs on leads.

Cllr Rogers asked: 'Was there any provision made that these people should have a dispensation?

'The view of the public is "you are the council, you have made a dog control order and you wish to apply it to the public but there are some you wish to give a dispensation to".

'There are a number of issues around this and I want to know how we should pursue this?'

Cllr Brian Trew said: 'There cannot be one rule for one party and one for another.'

Cllr Ted Sherrell said: 'The law has to be applied with common sense and we should be looking at the wider picture.

'The hunt goes back hundreds of years in this very rural area and this is a very strong tradition.

'Enforcing this would make us, as a town council, look foolish!

'If we go down this road when will it end? I move that we take no action.'

Cllr John Sellis added: 'It's madness and making the town council look foolish in the eyes of the public. We are getting into the realms of ridiculousness.'

Wayne Southall, general manager for Tavistock Town Council, said: 'In simple terms we are a consultee in regards to the dog control orders.

'The square falls under our management not our ownership. Bedford Square sits outside our control.'

A spokesperson for West Devon Borough Council said: 'Working dogs are exempt from the dog control orders as long as they are working with the permission of the organisation or person who has responsibility for the land in question.'

l The recommendation of no action was due to be ratified by the full council at its meeting on Tuesday evening.