DOGWATCH Dartmouth has been set up to get poo off the streets. The community-run scheme aims to clean up neighbourhoods and make the town a better place to live.

Behind the initiative is Karen Grant, a mum of two young children, who says she was so upset by the amount of fouling that went on in Dartmouth she decided to do something about it.

What started as a few postings on Facebook to act as a deterrent has now quickly grown into a campaign that has the full support of both Dartmouth police and South Hams Council’s team of dog wardens.

Individual residents in the town centre and at Townstal are also signing up to become unofficial ‘dog watchers’ in a bid to make pet owners more aware of their responsibilities.

Dogwatch Dartmouth says it is a voice for ‘all those fed up with the irresponsible behaviour of a minority of dog owners who do not clean up after their pet considerately’. Already the page has reached more than 5,000 people.

Karen said: ‘A friend in Smith Street was finding bags of dog poo left by her door every day. Bins have been removed from the town and people can’t be bothered to take it away. Residents are fed up with it.

‘It’s not about naming and shaming but more raising awareness.

‘As a parent with a toddler, I am always having to watch out for dog poo on the ground or at Coronation Park. It is such a shame.’

Karen, a supply teacher, said she had been overwhelmed at the interest Dogwatch had generated.

More on this story in this week’s Chronicle