COUNCILLORS have called on every member of the public living on Oxford's biggest estate to do their bit to stop dog fouling in its tracks.

Following success last year, a second campaign to raise awareness of the issue was launched on Monday in Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys.

Over the next two weeks officers will patrol the area's parks, green spaces and pavements in high-vis jackets, speaking to dog walkers and handing out bags.

But Blackbird Leys Parish Councillor John Dillon said everyone should be calling out selfish owners who do not pick up after their pet, wherever they find them.

He said: "Loads of people come up to me and say they saw somebody and had to have a moan; it's not just councillors.

"I would like to see everybody talking to each other, and people who don't have dogs putting their 5p in. Schools and teachers should be involved.

"There is no excuse whatsoever for dog fouling, it takes a few seconds to pick up and the more people that have a go, the more these people will think twice next time."

After a similar campaign in March last year the number of reported incidents in the area dropped from 39 over two days to just 19.

Key areas to be targeted include Blackbird Leys Park and Gillian's Park, with some walks also taking place around Fry's Hill and Spindleberry Nature Reserve.

If caught in the act negligent owners can be slapped with an £80 fixed penalty notice or a £1,000 fine if caught.

Mr Dillon said: "Unfortunately it's very rare that people actually get prosecuted. A lot of the problems are in the evening when most people have gone home."

He added that he had some idea of who the culprits were: "It's the same type of person that throws their litter down and doesn't bother tidying up."

During the campaign councillors and officers will also remind dog owners of the legal requirement since last April that all dogs be microchipped.

Bright pink stickers and signs warning owners to behave responsibly were put up last year but dog fouling has been on the rise again since the last drive.

There is no full-time dog warden in Oxford and local volunteers will be joining parish, city and county councillors and officers between now and next Friday.

Oxford City councillor Linda Smith said: “It is important that we address residents’ concerns around dog fouling in the Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys area.

"We want everyone to feel that they can use and enjoy their local park which is why we’re carrying out this campaign over the next two weeks."