THE new community dog watch scheme has been launched at St Dogmaels.

Set up in an effort to tackle dog fouling in the village and surrounding area such as Poppit Sands, the launch, backed by Pembrokeshire County Council, took place in the Memorial Hall on Wednesday, November 8.

High visibility jackets will be worn by the new volunteer dog ‘wardens’, an idea that has previously been piloted and proved successful by a Freshwater East team and a similar group from Saundersfoot. Tenby and Pembroke Dock are also following suit.

Willing and public-spirited dog owners are asked to don the jackets when they walk their pooches out and about.

The jackets have the words Volunteer Dog Watch emblazoned on the back. It is hoped that, just by being a visible presence, they will be enough to deter irresponsible dog owners and encourage them to pick up their dog mess.

Pembrokeshire environmental health officer Steven Morby said: “It is all about instilling a sense of community and chipping away at the problem.

“It has proved successful in other as a visible presence makes dog owners think about their actions and we hope it will make a big difference here.”

The scheme is being sponsored by Burns pet food, which means it is not costing the community council, which backs the idea, any money.