WEST Devon Borough Council is determined to deal with the foul issue of dog mess in and around local communities and has increased the amount of council officers on the ground.

Dog mess is unsightly, unpleasant and a health hazard because it can spread disease, or in extreme cases, cause blindness. When walking a dog, owners should pick up dog waste, bag it and bin it. Remember, any dog or litter bin can be used. All dog owners have a legal and moral duty to clean up every time their dog messes in a public place.

To overcome this foul issue, the council is calling on residents to do their part by reporting any incidents, with the location, days and times witnessed. This means the enforcement officers can try to be in the right place at the right time, to deal with repeat offenders quickly.

The council is holding a range of upcoming events in partnership with the Dogs’ Trust to share information about responsible dog ownership and will also cover issues concerning dog fouling. One of these events will be held in Okehampton’s Market Street Car Park on Tuesday, July 29.

To report any incidents please use the “report it online” form to inform about dog fouling in your area at: https://www.westdevon.gov.uk/article/7397/Dog-Fouling