LOCAL dog owners are being reminded to “Keep Crediton Clean” after reports of many instances of dog fouling on pavements within the town.

Members of the public recently reported “dodging the dog poo” on social media, which has prompted the reminder from Crediton Town Council.

Members of the public are also being reminded that dogs must be kept on a lead in Newcombes Meadow in Crediton, and also that owners are responsible for picking up and disposing in the bins after dog fouling.

A number of local residents have been seen in the park recently with their dogs off leads, many dogs just fouling where they stopped and no picking up occurring.

TOXOCARIASIS

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.

FREE DOG POO BAGS

“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.”

Crediton Town Council has a stock of disposable dog poo bags, which are available from the Crediton Town Council office in North Street.

Crediton Town Council has placed posters in Newcombes Meadow warning that dogs must be kept on leads in the Mid Devon District Council-owned park and about picking up dog mess.

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/ .

Fixed Penalty notices at £80 each time can be issued by Mid Devon District Council to those found guilty of allowing their dogs to foul and it not being picked up.

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

LIVESTOCK WORRYING

Dog owners are being urged to keep their pets under control, as horrific attacks on sheep and other livestock continue to take their toll on South West farmers.

As peak lambing season approaches, NFU Mutual is calling for dog owners to ensure their pets are under control at all times when livestock are nearby and to report out-of-control dogs to a local farmer or the police.

The advice is:

• Always keep dogs on the lead when walking in rural areas where livestock are kept

• Be aware that even small lap dogs can attack and kill farm animals

• Report attacks by dogs and sightings of dogs roaming the countryside to local farmers or the police

• Familiarise puppies with farm livestock from a young age to reduce the risk of them attacking sheep or cattle as adult dogs

• Don’t let dogs loose in gardens adjoining livestock fields – many attacks are caused by dogs which escape and attack sheep grazing nearby.