EXTRA patrols are being mounted to catch dog owners who bag up their pet’s poop and throw it into bushes.

Dog wardens will be monitoring streets and open land across Kidlington and Bicester during the evenings and at weekends to catch the culprits.

And Cherwell District Council is warning dog owners they must be responsible and clean up after their animals, or face a £50 fine.

So far 11 fixed penalty notices have been issued.

George Reynolds, the council’s executive member for environment, recreation and health, said the biggest dog fouling problem at the moment was owners picking up dog mess in a bag and then throwing it in a tree or bush rather disposing of it in a bin.

He said: “I can’t believe so many people are this irresponsible, especially when there are plenty of dog waste and refuse bins or even a bin at home they could use.

“Most people walk their dogs in parks where children play.

“Leaving dog mess on the ground is putting youngsters’ health at risk, but scooping it into a colourful bag and throwing it into a hedge is a beacon for toddlers.”

Neil Greenway, Cherwell’s senior dog warden, said the council launched the new crackdown, which runs until December, after an increase in bags of dog faeces that had been thrown in trees or bushes.

He said: “Some areas are more popular than others for dog walking and the dedicated dog mess bins can fill up quite quickly.

“But the bottom line is that dog owners have a responsibility to make sure they clear up the mess their pets make and dispose of it appropriately.

“If they find no space in a dog mess bin they should take it home and bin it there.”

Keep Britain Tidy campaign’s Helen Bingham backed the authority’s initiative, saying: “Dog fouling on our streets and parks is one of the public’s highest priorities and with the help of dog owners the problem can be made a thing of the past.”

“Dog mess is both unsightly and dangerous.

“Those who are exposed to it can contract Toxocariasis, which can affect their sight.

“Dog owners need to act responsibly and clean up after their pets.

“Mess should be picked up straight away, sealed in a bag and placed in any bin.”

bicester@oxfordmail.co.uk

Dog excrement can contain roundworm larvae calledToxocara which, if handled, can cause blindness and inflammation of vital organs, especially in children