Posters showing Christmas trees ‘decorated’ with dog poo bags pictured against a backdrop of iconic Cornish beauty spots have been released as part of a Cornwall Council campaign.

The posters, which include Carn Brea, Godrevy and St Michael’s Mount, are being distributed by Cornwall Council’s Dog Welfare and Enforcement team to make dog owners think about the impact their lack of action and lack of consideration has on our environment.

Cornwall Council said: “We have probably all experienced the frustration of seeing a full dog poo bag suspended from a hedgerow, tree or left by a footpath. We are taking that image to the extreme by showing a Christmas tree ‘decorated’ with dog poo bags against the backdrop of some of the lovely places in Cornwall.

"We are saying to people that once you have taken the time to scoop and bag the poop, please put the bag in any litter bin or take it home and put it in your own bin. There is no excuse not to take responsibility for your dog.”

Environmental health officer at the authority, Kevin Brader added: “We are running the campaign now as we notice an increase in fouling and littering issues when the days are short and dog owners are often walking their pets in darkness in the morning or the evening.

"Dog owners are reminded that they are required to clean up when their dog has fouled in a public place and must properly dispose of it. It is no excuse to say that you didn’t see where your dog has been; you can be held responsible even if you did not see the incident.

"There is no excuse to throw bagged waste into the hedge or tie it to a tree - take it to the nearest bin or take it home. Anyone caught throwing or leaving bagged dog waste or not properly removing dog waste will face an £80 fixed penalty or prosecution.”

Cornwall Council is also encouraging others to take on a proactive role in tackling the issue of dog fouling. The Council's Public Protection service is the only Local Authority Department in the country to be approved by DEFRA to provide training to other officers, internal and external, to issue fixed penalty notices for dog fouling and littering offences. There is a programme of engaging with local town and parish council’s in Cornwall to authorise and approve their employees to issue Fixed Penalty Notices.

Dog fouling can be reported on the Council’s website or Facebook page.

Allan Hampshire said: “It is only with people getting involved and reporting problems in their neighbourhood that we will be able to solve more problems and take more enforcement action on littering and dog fouling. We want these posters to draw attention to the issue and make them think about their responsibilities.”