DOG poo bins came under the spotlight at a meeting in Tavistock last week. Members of the town council's properties committee heard that dog owners have been seen leaving bags of dog poo on the ground if the dog waste bins are full — causing more work for the town's works department staff and dog wardens, and looking 'unsightly'. The councillors are now urging dog owners to be aware that if a dog waste bin is full then it is acceptable to place the waste in to any normal bin around the town. Councillors heard that there are a few areas around the town where the waste bins are regularly filled up before they can be emptied. Cllr Julia Whitcomb said one main problem area was in Monksmead. She said: 'At the bottom of Monksmead by the bridge the dog poo bin there fills up quickly and bags are put on the floor — it is a problem area. 'They do take the bags away but it doesn't look very good, when they are put on the floor in large piles.' Ken Sedgmen, works manager for Tavistock Town Council, said that for a long time, dog waste was not allowed to be placed with generic waste, but said that it was 'now acceptable for people to use either bins'. At the same meeting, members heard that dogs were often let off their leads­ in the Meadows, which is strictly an area where dogs must be kept under control. Cllr Ted Sherrell said more signage needed to be put up around the area for dog owners to be made aware. He said: 'The number of people who let their dogs free in the Meadows is something else where enforcement needs to be put in place.' Mr Sedgmen added: 'Signage is now up for dogs to be kept on the leads. 'They don't have to be on a lead in Pearce's Meadow but should be on a lead when walking through the Meadows.'