OXFORD’S parks are still under siege from dog mess, but only 22 dog owners have been fined since the city council’s Cleaner, Greener Campaign was launched in 2009.

Three years ago, the Oxford Mail visited Hollow Way Recreation Ground in Cowley, and planted a flag in every pile of dog mess.

At the time, Oxford City Council admitted it was difficult to collar dog owners who did not clear up after their pets.

And, after a new round of checks, city councillor Mark Lygo has claimed the problem was still “not a big issue”.

However the new Oxford Mail survey showed some city parks are still littered with dog mess.

In Hollow Way Recreation Ground, we found 56 piles of dog poo, including some surrounding a children’s play area.

When we carried the same spot check in 2009, our reporter counted 21 piles.

In Gillians Park, we found 18 piles – one next to a bin designated for dog poo – the same amount as in the 2009 check.

On a visit to Blackbird Leys Park, we spotted 22 piles.

It comes as the Town Hall is poised to increase fines for dog fouling from £50 to £80.

The council said seven dog fouling fines were dished out in 2009/10, 11 in 2010/11 and four from April 1 to date.

Professional dog walker Alex Young, of Walkies in Headington, said more responsibility needed to put on dog owners. She said: “I think it is disgraceful that people allow it to happen. All dog walkers should pick up the mess their dogs make.”

Park users also called for people to take more responsibility.

Judi Washington, 61, whose house in Horspath Road overlooks the Hollow Way Recreation Ground, said: “It is a shame because it is a nice park.

“I go there with my grandchildren and I have seen dogs in the play area.”

This week we planted a flag in every pile of dog mess we found at Hollow Way, Blackbird Leys Park, Gillians Park and Cowley Marsh Park.

We discovered piles surrounding a children’s play area, one on a park football pitch and piles of dog mess inside play areas.

At Hollow Way, we found three piles within the play area and two in the Gillians Park play area. That was despite signs on the gates to the fenced-off areas which say dogs are banned.

In Blackbird Leys Park, we found seven piles of dog mess a couple of yards away from the bin designed for it.

The council launched its Cleaner Greener Oxford campaign in November 2009.

It says dog fouling patrols are conducted “routinely” by the dog warden and parks services across the city.

Earlier this year the council approved plans to increase the fines, which are set to come into force in November.

Cllr Lygo, cabinet member for parks and sports, said: “Our park rangers are quite efficient.

“They have been educating dog walkers, coordinating with schools and liaising with residents.

“We have not seen a big issue on this.”