Councils in Shropshire struggling with dog mess problem

But despite councils having the power to punish dog walkers who fail to pick up after their pets, just a handful of fines have been issued across the county in the past two years.

Anyone who fails to pick up after their dog can be issued with a fine of £50 – or up to £1,000 if prosecuted in a magistrates' court.

But Telford & Wrekin Council issued just four fixed penalty notices last year, none in 2014 and only one in 2013. And Shropshire Council issued three in 2013/2014 and four warnings, one of which was cancelled, and a single one in 2014/2015.

However the fines have done little to help solve the problem.

Market Drayton mayor Councillor Roy Oldcroft said the issue is one that will not have an easy solution, but that there is more that could be done to help.

"Other councils can issue thousands, literally, of penalties, which means we haven't really got a system that works," he said.

"It's so difficult to police, you've got to have the right people in the right place at the right time. I can understand when the council is cash-strapped they don't want to spend money on what seems like a low priority, but it's a major concern to parents, people with wheelchairs who have to put their hands on wheels that have gone through the mess, and schools."

Councillor Oldcroft said a low cost option could be using posters to highlight how disgusting the problem is after seeing bin lorries in Middlesbrough emblazoned with pictures of a child that had just put its hand in dog mess.

The problem has led Oswestry School to make the decision to shut off access to Maes-y-Llan playing fields from April 5 amid concerns for pupil safety.

In January Church Aston Parish Council reported an increase in the number of reports about dog owners not cleaning up after their pets. Councillors have asked Telford & Wrekin Council for additional additional patrols and action by the dog warden.

And in Newport a new scheme to crack down on dog fouling has been launched using glow in the dark posters, which have been provided by Keep Britain Tidy. The posters say "thoughtless dog owners – we're watching you".

Councillor Ann Williams, mayor of Llanfyllin, said the problem is just as bad in Powys. She said: "It's only a minority of dog walkers but it's a disgrace and they just don't seem to care. If their dog goes in someone's garden or on a footpath they don't care. It's absolutely disgusting.

"Then someone has to clean up all the mess that's left behind."