A CREDITON woman is calling for action to be taken against dog owners who do not pick up dog mess in the park and children’s play area at Beacon Park at the top of George Hill, adjoining Avranches Avenue and Higher Road.

Mrs Denise Haydon, explained: “My daughter has just come out of the park and stepped in dog poo. We live in Avranches Avenue.

“There’s three piles right outside the entrance of the park near the road of George Hill.

“Why has the dog poo bin been taken away from the entrance?

“We’re really fed up with dog owners not picking up the dog poo!

“They don’t seem to care that children play in the park!”

Mrs Haydon has reported her concerns to Mid Devon District Council, which is responsible for the park.

She added: “I am just sick and tired of it. Why can’t dog owners pick up after their dogs?

“It might help if the bin which has gone missing was replaced.”

Members of the public are reminded to pick up after their dogs.

KEEP CREDITON CLEAN

As part of the Crediton Town Council “Keep Crediton Clean” campaign, concerning dog fouling, the council says: “Dog fouling is unsightly, unpleasant and can lead to Toxocariasis in humans, which causes serious illness and even blindness.

“Toxocariasis is caused by a roundworm parasite and is spread from animals to humans through contact with infected faeces.

“It usually affects young children because they are more likely to come into contact with contaminated soil when they play and put their hands in their mouths.

“The best way to reduce the chances of anyone being infected is for dog owners to regularly worm their pets and pick up and dispose of faeces immediately.

“To help residents with this, the Town Council has free dog poo bags available. Donations are welcome to help cover the costs.

“Please dispose of your bags responsibly either in a dog bin, a litter bin or at home in your general waste bin. Please do not leave your bags hanging in hedges, on trees, fences or gates.”

Last year Crediton Town Council ordered 50,000 disposable dog poo bags, which are available from the Crediton Town Council office.

Crediton Town Council has placed posters in parts of the town warning that dogs must be kept on leads in all parks and about picking up dog mess.

£1,000 FINE

It has also placed notices around the town which read “The Dog Poo Fairy does not exist - Clean up after your dog”, with a warning that the maximum penalty is a £1,000 fine.

It has also issued Dog Fouling Report It forms, which should be returned to the Council Offices. Alternatively, it suggests people use Mid Devon District Council’s online Dog Fouling Incident Form at: www.middevon.gov.uk/residents/dogs/dog-fouling/ .

Mid Devon District Council recently said it is continuing to actively tackle littering, fly-tipping and inconsiderate dog owners who do not clean up after their dogs.

Clive Eginton, Leader of the Council with responsibility for the Environment, stated: “We’ll tackle the problem head-on and send out a strong message that deliberate antisocial behaviour which blights our towns and countryside will not be tolerated.

"Residents and visitors to Mid Devon need to take responsibility for their litter or dog waste.”

In March a Cullompton resident was issued with a dog fouling Fixed Penalty Notice after failing to pick up the mess their dog left outside a popular play area.  The person was issued with an on-the-spot fine.

• Have you had problems with dog fouling?

Share your views with fellow "Courier" readers. Write a letter to: The Editorial Manager, "Crediton Courier", 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LF.

Please include your name, address and a daytime telephone number, not necessarily for publication.

Alternatively, email your letter, with the required details, to: [email protected] .

• UPDATE: Mid Devon District Council has replaced the missing bin at the entrance in the last few days.