Get the pick of the week's stories and fascinating Devon history features direct to your inbox every Saturday morning in our exclusive Weekend Report newsletter Sign me up! Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A council in Devon has issued an urgent warning to pet owners after receiving reports of a fake dog warden.

Teignbridge Council says dog walkers have reported a person "pretending" to be a dog warden in the Dawlish Warrenb and Kingkerswell areas.

They say the person has been threatening people with fines.

The authority took to Twitter to share the message and issue a reminder to pet owners.

In the tweet they said: "We’re sorry to hear reports of someone pretending to be a dog warden & threatening people with fines in the Dawlish Warren & Kingskerswell areas.

"We can assure you our wardens will never ask for cash payment of fixed penalty notices & all our staff will always show council ID."

One person has responded to the tweet suggesting a friend of theirs may have encountered the fake dog warden.

In a response to the council they said: "Is this maybe the same person who threatened a friend of mine a few weeks ago whilst he was walking his dog along the old railway line at Parke, Bovey Tracey?

"He said an on the spot fine for allowing the dog off the lead was £100."

What is the role of a dog warden?

According to the UK National Dog Warden Association, the normal duties and responsibilities of a council dog warden can include:

Dealing with stray dogs

Enforcing dog related legislation

Promotion of responsible dog ownership

Dog fouling

Noise pollution caused by dogs

Education

Liaising and working alongside other agencies

All Councils have to enforce the section of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 that deals with stray dogs and it is the Dog / Animal Wardens that enforce the law on behalf of the Councils for whom they work.



It is also the role of the Dog / Animal Warden to educate the public about their role and legal responsibilities under the Animal Welfare Act as pet owners.

This might involve them visiting local schools to try and educate the children about the responsibilities involved in owning a pet.