DOGS' mess is nasty, even though the health risks from treading in it might not be as fearsome as some fanatical anti-dog types might have us believe.

And it is good that Swindon Council is now pursuing irresponsible owners who fail to clean up after their pets.

Offenders cannot be prosecuted, however, if we all allow them to get away with it. The dog warden cannot be everywhere at once.

This might seem sneaky, but if we do not want to dodge around piles of dogs' mess on the grass verges near our homes we must be prepared to report the names of the dirty dogs' owners.

A few more successful prosecutions and hefty fines will work miracles. Offenders, you have been warned.