John tackles messy problem

John Pocknell, 65, of Martineau Lane, says he has had enough of dog owners leaving bags of poo outside his house.

"It has been going on for years '“ it is unbelievable," he said.

On Monday Mr Pocknell collected more than 10 bags of dog mess.

"People seem to take their dogs out and pick up the mess in plastic bags, but then they just dump it in the lane next to my house," he said.

"I have been going up and down the lane to collect the bags '“ I had to pick some of them out of the brambles.

"Three years ago the council officers came out and put signs up about dog mess so they have done their best but some people are still ignoring the rules."

Council spokesman Caroline Kelly said cleaning up the town remains a priority.

She said: "We wholeheartedly sympathise with Mr Pocknell who has had to put up with selfish and thoughtless owners letting their dogs foul his road.

"We will be targeting this area and have indeed been working with Mr Pocknell on the issue.

"Anyone we catch dumping rubbish, of any description, or letting their dog foul without clearing up after it will be given a fine."

The council's Environmental Enforcement Team was set up in 2008 to deal with what the authority calls enviro-crime.

Since then it has taken eight people to court over dog fouling and issued more than 180 fixed penalty fines to offending owners, and there are 11 cases of littering and dog fouling due in court over the coming weeks.

But Councillor Godfrey Daniel, who has waged a long campaign against dog fouling and was once dubbed Dogfrey Spaniel by animal lovers, says the council should be doing more.

"It is difficult to see how the situation can get any better," he said.

"The council has done a long advertising campaign but we need people out on the streets catching offenders and fining them.

"Responsible dog owners would welcome that because they get a bad reputation as well.

"I feel for Mr Pocknell. We need people like him who show a bit of neighbourhood responsibility and look after their areas.

"But those people who do not learn the lesson might have to learn it by way of a fine, or a court appearance."