A SETTLE town councillor has hit out over the amount of dog mess in the town and says the problem is getting worse.

Coun Barbara McLernon told a meeting of the council this week that she was "fed up" of trying to avoid dog mess while out walking in the town.

She was also angry that she, as a responsible dog owner, was made to feel guilty simply for owning a dog, and on occasion had been glared and "muttered at" when taking her springer spaniel for a walk.

"Dog mess in Settle is getting worse. You can't walk any distance without having to avoid it. It is a disgrace," she said.

Coun McLernon called for inquiries into what Craven District Council was doing to try and stamp out the growing problem in the district.

"I want someone around here who will prosecute the beggars who are letting their dogs run wild. There is no excuse for people not to carry bags with them. They are free from the town hall office so people only have to call in and get some.

"It is a bad reflection on the people of the town who are responsible, and I am fed up of the complaints," she said.

Craven's dog warden service is looked after by the district council's environmental health department.

Environmental protection manager Tim Bassett said the council employed contractors to come into the area from time to time to issue fixed penalty notices to anyone flouting the law.

The authority employs one dog warden who covers the whole of Craven, who can also issue penalty notices and is responsible for taking complaints, retrieving strays and visiting schools and community groups to give educational talks on responsible dog ownership. The council used to employ another dog warden on a part-time basis, but they resigned last year.

"The problem we face is catching people who are allowing their dogs to foul public places," said Mr Bassett. "We have the contractors come out on a random rota system so people do not know when they are going to be about. Their job is to catch offenders and issue fixed penalty notices."

New legislation surrounding the introduction of the Cleaner Neighbourhoods and Environmental Act comes into effect in April this year and will mean a number of changes to the council's responsibilities regarding dog control.

The council will review its current service when the legislation comes in, but in the meantime it will continue the existing contract with Animal Wardens Service.

Mr Bassett added that Settle was visited by the dog warden around three times a week.

He also stated that the problem of dog fouling was a high priority for the council and it would continue to work towards reaching its target of securing 36 fixed penalty notices each year.

He said 20 £50 fixed penalty notices were issued in Craven during 2004; 12 in Skipton, one each in Settle, Bentham, Cross Hills, Gargrave and Bradley and three in Embsay.

During 2005 a total of 28 notices were given out; six in Skipton, seven in Embsay, six in Cowling, three in Cross Hills and one each in Settle, Gargrave, Bradley, Clapham, Grassington and Ingleton.

A case has also been heard at the magistrates' court.