Council vows to get tough on dog fouling in two North Devon towns

A crackdown has been launched to target dog fouling at some of the more notorious hotspots in Ilfracombe and Barnstaple.

North Devon Council says it is renewing a ‘no nonsense approach’ to tackle irresponsible dog owners who do not pick up after their pets, creating an unpleasant mess and a potential health hazard.

As part of its ongoing Clear Messages initiative, the council will be focusing on areas highlighted in recent reports.

In Ilfracombe these include Capstone, Oxford Road Park, Cow Lane, Ilfracombe High Street, Northfield Road and Market Street.

In Barnstaple, Congrams Close, Park Lane and Rock Park are also affected.

These are busy, well-used areas where repeated fouling directly affects residents, visitors and local businesses.

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Oxford 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 the council said breaches continue despite clear signage.

The council has said if this 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.

It said 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, NDC leader, 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.”

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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 picture of the dog and its owner, but only if this can be done without putting yourself at risk. The council said evidence from the public is vital in helping officers identify repeat offenders and issue penalties.

It is also asking residents to support the campaign by following and sharing messages from the North Devon Council Facebook page, helping to spread awareness of responsible dog ownership.