North Devon Council has launched a renewed crackdown on dog fouling as part of its Clear Messages initiative - a no-nonsense approach to addressing the environmental issues that matter most to residents.

Dog fouling continues to be one of the most frequently reported problems received by the council’s Environmental Health team. Beyond being unpleasant, dog mess poses health risks, particularly to children, impacts play areas and parks, damages community pride, and places repeated pressure on council officers.

Recent reports have identified key hotspot locations in Ilfracombe - including Capstone, Oxford Road Park, Cowl Lane, Ilfracombe High Street, Northfield Road and Market Street - as well as Prospect Place, Congrams Close, Park Lane and Rock Park in Barnstaple. These are busy, well-used areas where repeated fouling directly affects residents, visitors and local businesses.

Oxford Road Park in Ilfracombe is a particular concern. Dogs are not permitted in children’s play areas under the council’s Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), yet breaches continue despite clear signage. The council has confirmed that, if non-compliance persists, additional measures such as enhanced signage and CCTV will be introduced to protect children and ensure the park remains safe and welcoming for families.

The Clear Messages campaign combines strong, direct communications with visible enforcement and community engagement. While the vast majority of dog owners in North Devon act responsibly, those who fail to pick up after their pets face a £100 fixed penalty notice, rising to a potential £1,000 fine upon summary conviction.

Councillor David Clayton, Leader of North Devon Council, said: “This campaign is not anti-dog. The vast majority of owners clean up after their pets and we thank them for doing the right thing. Our focus is on the small minority whose behaviour is unfair on families, responsible owners and our hardworking teams.

"Dog fouling, particularly in children’s play areas, is unacceptable. We will always seek to educate first, but where behaviour doesn’t change, we will take firm enforcement action. We also encourage residents to report incidents where possible, as this information helps our wardens tackle repeat offenders and protect North Devon’s shared outdoor spaces.”

Residents are encouraged to help by reporting incidents online and providing photographs, locations and other details such as descriptions or vehicle registrations where it is safe to do so. If possible, this can also include a photo of the dog and its owner, but only if it can be done without putting yourself at risk. Evidence from the public is vital in helping officers identify repeat offenders and issue penalties.

The council is also asking residents to support the campaign by following and sharing messages from the council’s Facebook page, helping to spread awareness of responsible dog ownership. Residents should challenge inappropriate behaviour only if they feel safe to do so, with public safety always coming first.

Through community reporting and proportionate enforcement, North Devon Council aims to reduce dog fouling and protect public spaces across the district.