A pack of excited dogs and their Community Dog Warden owners took to the streets this week after the official launch of the new initiative, designed to see local responsible dog owners police their own streets, keeping their eyes open for irresponsible dog owners and clamping down on dog fouling.

The new Community Dog Wardens will be working with Herefordshire Council's Community Protection Team and will be "their eyes and ears in the local community" says team leader Craig Sandman.

The wardens will also be willing to give eye witness statements of anyone who has let their dog foul and left it which could lead to a big fine.

A Herefordshire man recently received a fine and costs totalling nearly £300. "?It's a lot cheaper to just do the right thing and pick it up," said Cllr Atkinson who launched the initiative. "Most people do, its just the irresponsible few that we need to clamp down on."

The Community Dog Wardens scheme is being watched with interest by Ledbury and Leominster town councils as they would like to launch the scheme in their towns, Cllr Atkinson has also received interest from Avon and Somerset police force and as far away as the Isle of White.

Eight new Community Dog Wardens were trained this week with another 21 booked in to be trained over the next month.

Councillor Atkinson added?:?"The message will be quickly spread, loud and clear as the Wardens take the lead in telling owners - Pick up or pay out!"