Dog fouling in Teignbridge is to be tackled through an awareness raising campaign.

A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is in place in the district, enabling district council officers to issue fines of £100 for breaches of the dog control rules.

But councillors have agreed that there is a need to remind the public of the regulations.

On Thursday, February 11, the executive committee voted unanimously to ask town and parish councils to publicise the PSPO through newsletters and notice boards.

Other measures such as pavement stencilling and signs on lamp posts will also be explored.

The PSPO introduced in April 2019 means:

• You must pick up after your dog in public places
• Dogs aren't allowed in areas signed as dog exclusion areas such as children's play parks
• Dogs aren't allowed on the beaches at Dawlish Warren, Dawlish Town, Dawlish Coryton Cove, Teignmouth Town and Shaldon from April 1 to September 30
• Dogs must be kept on a lead on a road, on footpaths next to the road or on cycle paths, and in other specified areas.
• Where a dog is being a nuisance to people or other animals, it must be put on a lead if the owner is asked to do so by a council officer or police officer.
• One person can walk a maximum of six dogs at a time.
• Walkers must carry sufficient dog poo bags

Anyone breaching any of the eight controls is liable for £100 on-the-spot fines.

Councillors decided against the local licensing of dogs, because of the cost and because current legislation doesn't cover this.

The current PSPO expires in March 2022, and the council's task group will reconvene in April this year to review it so that any changes can be considered and put into place before the expiry.