DOG owners in West Devon could soon see an area-wide enforcement which would include picking up after their pet on Dartmoor. A dog control order has been drafted by West Devon Borough Council to 'tidy up' existing by-laws and legislation currently covering dog fouling and dog walking. Areas covered in the dog control order would see dogs having to be kept on a lead in some public locations, with no restriction on Dartmoor if the dog is under control, dog exclusions of which there are four in the borough, and owners clearing up their dog's mess in open air areas within West Devon boundaries, which includes Dartmoor. But the news has split public opinion and dog walkers alike. Some welcome the news that owners will be forced to pick up after their pet in public areas and on Dartmoor, while others are worried that this could lead to Dartmoor becoming littered with 'poo bags' as people may not wish to put the bags in their car to dispose of at home. Lynda Smith from Tavistock said: 'I am horrified to hear that at the very least they wish to enforce poop scoop rules — the whole moorland will potentially be littered with nasty black bags — even if half the dog walkers picked them up and took them home I am confident that human nature will not wish to experience a car stinking, for whatever length of journey, of poop. 'The fragile tourism industry is in for a knock if the council goes ahead as people will be going elsewhere for their walks.' Terry Baxter from Tavistock, who regularly walks her dog Charlie on Whitchurch Down, and already picks up her dog's mess to dispose of at home, said she would like to see more people clean up after their dog — but she could not see how it would be enforced. 'When I first took Charlie on Dartmoor as a puppy there was not a lot of poo around but recently I have noticed more and more, and I think that when it's lovely weather and children go up there the last thing you want is children covered in poo. 'I don't see how they are going to enforce it, unless they are going to spend a huge amount of money on people patrolling the area, which will be a waste of tax payers' money. 'It's something dog owners should be aware of and it would be nice if more people did pick up after their dog for the benefit of other people. 'At the end of the day it is up to the dog owners to be responsible, but I don't see how it's going to work.' The main point of the order is to make people more aware of making sure their dog is under control at all times, in the towns and parishes and on Dartmoor, making the areas safe from faeces or out of control pets. Karla McKechnie, livestock protection officer for the commoner's council and Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society, who deals with dog incidents on the moor, said that along with the National Park Rangers, she would be able to issue on the spot fines, due to the proposed orders. She said: 'We welcome any initiatives to encourage responsible dog ownership, as farmers are constantly struggling with the problem of out-of-control dogs and attacks on livestock. 'The obligation on dog owners to collect up dog mess in heavily walked areas, such as Whitchurch Down, is welcomed but the bags of mess must not be left on the common as frequently happens on Roborough Down. 'This is a little offence and anyone seen doing this could be fined.' Karla added that the issue of farmers' sheep dogs fouling on the moor while working would have to be addressed if the dog control order was agreed. A spokesperson for Dartmoor National Park Authority said: 'The vast majority of dog owners are responsible but there is a minority that spoil it for others. 'We welcome this dog control order to ensure that the moor is kept safe for both people to enjoy and Dartmoor farmers.' Helen Dobby, head of environmental services at West Devon Borough Council, said: 'We have worked closely with Dartmoor National Park Authority on this issue. 'We appreciate that livestock droppings are found all over Dartmoor but dog fouling can pose a particular risk to human health. It should also be remembered that if dogs are not wormed properly this can affect the health of grazing animals. 'The new orders will make the rules clear for everyone and it is worth pointing out that they are already in force for some parts of Dartmoor which fall within the boundary of South Hams District Council. 'The dog control orders aim to tidy up existing legislation and provide a tool to allow for consistent enforcement where it is needed. 'There is no intention to be overly restrictive where dog owners are acting responsibly.' People across West Devon have been asked for their opinions about the introduction of the orders, which will regularise the rules on where dogs can and cannot go in the area. As part of the draft, dogs will be asked to stay on leads in formal gardens and locations which include: Mary Tavy, Coronation Hall Grounds, Taylors Green, Women's Institute Garden, and Recreation Ground; Village Green, Blackdown; Tavistock, Courtlands Play Area, Whitchurch Play Area, St Eustachius' Churchyard, Meadows, Abbey Walk, Benson Meadow, and St John's Avenue. Dog exclusions could be put in place in Primary School Fields in Mary Tavy, and Plymouth Road Cemetery in Tavistock. Dog fouling would apply across all open air areas within West Devon boundaries, except Forestry Commission land. People will have until tomorrow (Friday, July 18) to look at the current draft orders and voice their opinion. The draft orders are available at http://www.westdevon.gov.uk/dogorder">www.westdevon.gov.uk/dogorder Comments can be emailed to [email protected]">[email protected]