IRRESPONSIBLE dog owners are again being blamed for failing to pick up the mess their animals leave behind on the streets of Wellington.

Lyn Partridge-Webber and Addy Bloodworth, of the Wellington Action Group for Dogs, recently met local councillors to talk about their ongoing concerns over dog fouling.

Members of Wellington Town Council’s environment committee heard there was little direct action it could take and it was emphasised that dog owners were legally obliged to immediately remove their dogs’ faeces from land to which the public had access.

The council has reminded owners who do not pick up after their dogs they could face a fixed penalty of £50 or prosecution which could result in a fine of up to £1,000.

Taunton Deane Borough Council is the authority responsible for dog fouling problems and has previously encouraged anyone who had evidence of someone not picking up after their dog or who wished to report a heavily fouled area to fill out on a ‘report dog fouling’ form on its website.

But a spokesman for Taunton Deane has told the town council that it has not been able to carry out any patrols for dog fouling since Christmas because it is not an ‘income generating service’.

“I am aware that there is an ongoing problem with dog fouling in the Wellington area and am disappointed to hear it is getting worse,” said the spokesman.

“The dog warden service is currently contracted out to the Somerset Dog Warden Service based at St Giles Kennels, but they are only contracted for the collection of strays.

“Fouling complaints and patrols are carried out by our pest control officer when she has time. Patrols for dog fouling are normally complaint driven and we patrol the areas were we have received intelligence about dog fouling and when it might be occurring.

“Unfortunately since Christmas we have been unable to carry out any patrols for dog fouling due to the very high demand we have been receiving for the pest control service. This is an income generating service and has had to take priority.”