PEOPLE in Tenbury who allow their dogs to foul the town’s footpaths and open spaces are to be targeted by the Town Council.

The Town Council will lead a ‘big clean’ up on The Burgage on Saturday (September 19) to highlight the extent of the problem that is causing concerns about health risks and nuisance.

Now Tenbury Town Council is treating this issue as public enemy number one and people living in Tenbury are being called upon to play their part in cracking down on owners that do not clean up after their pets.

Residents are being urged to report people whom they see allowing dogs to mess without cleaning it up and ‘naming and shaming’ is one of the weapons that will be used.

The town council is concerned about the impact on the amenities in the town and the potential health hazards.

Mayor of Tenbury Mark Willis believes that the problem is getting worse and that the time has come to act.

He told the town council that watching a rugby game between Tenbury and a visiting team on Palmer's Meadow he had been left hugely embarrassed for the town.

“There must have been about seven occasions when the game was stopped and someone had to go on to the pitch and clear up dog mess,” said Mark Willis.

The Burgage and Palmer's Meadow have been identified as ‘black spots’ but the problem is happening all over the town including on various footpaths.

Alan Eachus said that one of the worst areas for the fouling of footpaths is in the area of Orchard Court and the Church.

Officials from Malvern Hills District Council have been offering advice and although it is impossible to post wardens in the town a request has been made that all incidents are reported.

It is hoped that this will highlight locations and times of the day when the problem is worst so that wardens can be deployed.

People who are caught can face an on-the-spot fine that if unpaid may result in going to court.

But, before this can happen, evidence is needed and people in the town are being urged to report any incidents and, if they do not know the name of the offending owner, to provide a description of the people, the type of dog and where and when it happened.

It has also been suggested that residents could use mobile phones to collect photographic and video evidence.

Mark Willis has said that he has been assured that if they have sufficient information officials from Malvern Hills District Council will take follow-up action.

Residents are also being encouraged to confront owners who allow their dogs to foul without cleaning up provided that they feel comfortable about doing this and consider it safe.

The day of action on Saturday starting at 9am is both to mount a clean-up and also to make people more aware of the problem.

“We are being told that this can be a highly effective way of drawing attention to the issue,” said Mr Willis.

“I also think if people responsible are fined and named the message will soon get around.”