RESIDENTS have raised concerns about the amount of dog fouling in and around Bude.

Local people have taken to the community Facebook group, Bude Banter, to complain about the mess around the town.

One gentleman, Jimmy Finn, posted two pictures of dog mess along the canal, adding that the mess had been bagged up and thrown into hedges, as well as being left on the grass.

In the comments, someone who owns a shop at the Strand Shopping Centre explained that someone had bagged up some dog mess and left it outside the shop. Another lady added that the same had happened to her in Holsworthy.

In response, a spokesperson from Cornwall Council said: “Cornwall Council has a zero tolerance approach to dog fouling. General waste bins can be used to dispose of bagged dog waste, so there are more sufficient waste bins for dog owners to deposit the poo.

“Members of the public who do not pick up after their dogs face a fine of up to £1,000 or can received a fixed penalty of £80 in order to discharge the offence.

“The council’s dog welfare and enforcement service responds to complaints of dog fouling and will investigate. We also undertake pro-active patrols of known fouling hot spots to encourage dog owners to pick up after their pets.

“Whilst we only have a limited number of dog welfare and enforcement officers, there are a number of other officers who are able to issue fixed penalties — many of which are not uniformed officers — as well as most PCSOs.”

The spokesman continued: “We also provide DEFRA approved training to town and parish council employees to enable and authorise them to issue dog fouling fixed penalty notices.”

To report dog fouling, call 0300 1234 212 or report it via the council’s website on www.cornwall.gov.uk/reportit