A CAMPAIGN to clamp down on irresponsible dog walkers who allow their pets to foul without picking it up has been taking place in Christchurch.

Officers from Christchurch Borough Council and Dorset Police have mounted a campaign to encourage people to pick-up after their dogs. The officers have been handing out literature and free dog poop bags.

Their aim has been to make sure that everyone understands that not picking up after your dog is unacceptable and can lead to a fine or prosecution.

Andy Jones, senior neighbourhood management officer at the council, said: “Most people we’ve talked to are very responsible. They are as disgusted as we are by the people who don’t follow the rule of ‘bag it and bin it’.

“It can be incredibly difficult to find the culprits as they walk their dogs at night and also very early in the morning. However, by mounting our campaign to cover different times of the day at various locations, we hope that the message is hitting home.”

The campaign has been targeting Purewell Meadows, Stanpit Recreation Ground, Highcliffe cliff top, Steamer Point nature reserve and River Way Rec-reation Ground.

Amanda Watts, who goes out walking regularly with her two-year-old son William and dog Jack said: “You notice the mess more when you have young children – quite often William comes home with dog mess on his shoes.

“I always take a dog poo bag with me when we go out. I’ve seen other people not picking up and offered them a poo bag but they just get huffy and ignore me.

“It’s good to see the officers here to remind people but there are bins and the problem is caused by people being irresponsible.

“Part of your responsibility when you have a dog is to clear up.”