EXTRA patrols are to be carried out in a Fenalnd village after residents fed-up with dog fouling vowed to launch a petition calling for owners to be prosecuted.

Cambs Times: Residents of Benwick are fed up of the dog mess on the pavements around the school in Benwick, (front) Mason has been helping to clear up, with other mums & familiesResidents of Benwick are fed up of the dog mess on the pavements around the school in Benwick, (front) Mason has been helping to clear up, with other mums & families (Image: Archant)

Mum-of-four Nikki David has already sent photos of dogs fouling in Benwick to Fenland District Council. She also says her neighbour cleared up 16 piles of dog faeces in his garden, left by dogs wandering on to his property.

Now the council has promised that its Street Scene team will carry out extra patrols at various times of the day and has called for information about culprits.

Nikki said: “There has been a problem with dog excrement for two years and I have contacted the council on several occasions.

“A lot of people are very annoyed about the problem and are discussing it on Facebook. We are at the end of our tether and have decided that a petition is the best way to get the council to take action.”

“All the time I have to tell my children to be careful where they are walking. As we walk to school, I am constantly telling them to stay off the grass. There is a grass area alongside the path in Ramsey Road that is covered in poo.

“I am also afraid that the loose dogs will get run over, as cars often have to slam on their brakes to avoid hitting them. Just recently, my 10-year-old son came home from school very upset after a dog chased him.

“What we want is for someone to be prosecuted. Stickers have been put up on lamp posts and within a day of the council being in the village, the problem is back again.”

A council spokesman said: “We would welcome any information about the situation in the village to help us tackle the problem. Details can be provided in the strictest of confidence by calling 01354 654321 or e-mailing streetscene@fenland.gov.uk

“We work with residents, businesses, other councils and volunteers to keep the Fenland environment as clean as possible. Unfortunately, an increase in dog fouling often occurs during the dark winter evenings when irresponsible owners feel they can escape notice.”