Budleigh businesswoman hits out at irresponsible dog owners

A Budleigh Salterton businesswoman is so incensed with irresponsible dog owners she has considered chalking a message to them on the pavement outside her High Street shop.

Maggie Clarke, owner of Plume, claims she is forced daily to wash the outside wall and windows of her shop, and the pavement, because owners are allowing their pets to use the area as a toilet.

Mrs Clarke said the dogs were creating a health hazard - because owners were failing to clean up after their pets.

She said she was so exasperated by the constant washing and cleaning, she had considered chalking 'please do not allow your dog to go to the toilet here', on the pavement outside her shop.

Mrs Clarke said her husband, Mike, had spent an hour power washing and disinfecting the shop and pavement - only for an owner to allow their dog to pee up against the window moments after he had finished the job.

She appealed to dog owners to show more care and divert their pets away from businesses when walking through the town.

Mrs Clarke said: "It's a health hazard. I have seen people walking down the High Street with their dogs on a long lead. They don't pull their dogs into the curb when they need to go.

"They shouldn't be taking their dogs up the High Street if they know they need the loo. They should be taking them somewhere thy can take a bag.

"They don't seem to have any conscience at all.