HORRENDOUS dog fouling spoiling sports fields and Dovercourt seafront could be stopped if a dog warden was employed just to patrol fouling hotspots.

Harwich Town and Tendring councillor Jo Henderson has asked if a new dog warden could be employed solely to tackle the issue of dog fouling across the whole district.

But at last Thursday’s full council meeting, councillor responsible portfolio holder for the environment, Michael Talbot, turned down the request.

She said: “The problem we have got is the dog wardens have so many jobs to do.

“We have excellent dog wardens but they can’t cope with all the jobs they have to do.

“It is an issue and it is getting worse, if they aren’t able to enforce it then it will just get worse.

“It’s horrendous, the sports pitches are horrendous and the grass area at the seafront are horrendous.”

Jo, a mum of one, is also concerned about the risks posed to children with dog fouling left where children walk and play. Children get it on their bikes, and then it can get on their hands and faces.

“On Low Road playing field we have cricket and rugby and football training. They have to do a sweep of the area they are going to train on and pick it up – that shouldn’t have to happen.”

Currently residents are asked to alert the council to owners not picking up after their dogs.

But Jo said: “I don’t think it’s up to the general public to go and take photographs of them, people won’t want to do it and I don’t think it’s their job.”

Mr Talbot said: “We have two full-time dog wardens who are responsible primarily for the collection and return of stray dogs. Unallocated time is spent on duties,such as microchipping and dog barking noise complaints.

“The majority of the remainder of their time is spent patrolling dog walking areas and open spaces.”