WEST Devon dog owners are leading the way in helping to clean up the environment, borough council officials have revealed.

During the summer, councillors agreed to tighten up byelaws after mounting complaints over dog fouling in towns and villages in the area, which included sports pitches and other public open spaces.

But a senior councillor has said that since the byelaws were revamped nearly six months ago, not one dog owner has been collared for letting his animal do something unsocial in public.

Cllr Tony Leech, the borough council’s Lead Member for Leisure, Health and Wellbeing had warned dog fouling could result in serious illness for a child if they came into contact with it.

He said: ‘We all know that leaving dog mess lying around is anti-social and a health hazard.

‘To make sure that our spaces can be enjoyed by everyone, we have rules in place for anyone taking their dog to a public space.

‘For example, dogs have to be on a lead on sports fields if a match or training is underway and everyone with a dog must carry the means to pick up dog mess. If anyone does not follow these rules we can issue a fixed penalty notice of £100.

‘In the last six months we have not issued any fines and the majority of our dog owners in West Devon are doing the right thing picking up after their dog. However, if you are aware of a regular dog fouling issue, you should report it on the council website at: www.westdevon.gov.uk/report.’

In July, the council put up new signs to remind people of where and when their dog could run free and that they risked a £100 fine if they didn’t follow the rules.

These areas included roads, pavements or a path shared with cyclists or horse riders, as well as alongside marked sports fields while organised sport was in progress.

Residents were asked to keep their dogs out of enclosed children’s play areas or sporting areas.

They were also reminded to carry poo bags, with failure to do so also potentially resulting in a £100 fine.