IRRESPONSIBLE dog owners in Tavistock who do not pick up after their pets, are being given a simple but stark reminder of how fouling can spoil the area for others.

West Devon Borough Council dog warden Murray Cowley is carrying out spraying patrols, where he highlights the problem by spraying each fouling with a can of yellow paint.

On a recent patrol in the Tiddybrook area, Mr Cowley marked more than 100 foulings on a single stretch of path.

He said: 'Spraying allows me to monitor the problem and narrow down, over a period of time, when foulings are taking place, giving me more chance of catching the offenders.

'It can also tweak an owner's conscience, and after a spraying visit I often find there are far fewer fouling, as happened in the case of Tiddybrook.'

The non-toxic paint also helps people to avoid stepping in the dog mess and makes the public more aware of the issue, even if they do not own a dog.

Cllr Robert Oxborough, the council's community services chairman, said: 'Local residents and the council expect dog owners to take responsibility for their pet's fouling in public areas.

'Therefore, the council does not currently invest in a clean-up contract although some of the mess is cleared up during street cleansing.

'However, other than on main roads in towns, this is infrequent so we expect dog owners to clear up after their pets.

'If anyone knows someone who doesn't, we would like to know so we can take action.'

It is an offence not to clean up after your dog and owners could face an immediate £50 fine with a maximum penalty of up to £1,000, if the case goes to court.

If anyone sees dog mess that could cause a health issue or knows of someone failing to clear up after their pet, they can report it via the borough council's website at http://www.westdevon.gov.uk">www.westdevon.gov.uk or call on 01822 813600.