WARNINGS of a dog mess 'epidemic' have been issued at one popular Oxford park with councillors and residents now launching a crackdown to tackle the problem.

A group of Headington Quarry residents have taken up the task of stamping out the issue of dog fouling and pet owners not clearing up after their animals.

The 15-strong team visit parks in the area each week, clearing up dog mess and confronting dog owners who are caught not doing their part to keep the parks clean.

An Oxford city councillor has now got behind the group and was at Margaret Road Recreation Ground, Headington Quarry, on Saturday in the second of two public awareness events, handing out leaflets and reminding pet owners to clean up to keep the park tidy for all.

Councillor Mark Lygo said: "We have had to clear our football pitches of dog foul on a regular basis every weekend.

"We have also seen dog faeces near the children's play area, which is unacceptable.

"Dog fouling is unsightly, unpleasant and can occasionally lead to toxocariasis in humans which can cause serious illness, even blindness, so please clear up after yourselves."

One member of the resident's initiative praised the support of the local councillor but added that the problem was not going away.

June Carter, 66, said: "We all try to keep the park clean but obviously there is a problem with some people who don't do that and it just gives dog owners a bad name.

"It isn't fair to the rest of us and to other people using the park.

"I don't think it has gotten worse but it hasn't got any better. It is the same people causing the problem. When you have got people that aren't willing to help it gives the rest of us a bad name."

She added that despite going so far as to offer bin bags for owners to clear up their pet's mess the group was struggling to get people to take on the responsibility and said some dog owners just shout back when challenged.

Headington Quarry councillor Roz Smith supported the initiative but added that most dog owners were respectful of the area.

She said: "I think it is a problem for some dog owners but the majority of them that use the Margaret Road Recreation Ground always clean up after their dogs.

"It is just an errant few that don't and it is a great shame because it tars all dog owners as not being careful and it is not right.

"They are a very friendly bunch of people dog owners in this area and most clear up after their dogs."

She added that 25 years ago she once campaigned for more dog fouling bins and also parks forbidding dogs to enter.

Asked if she would support this in Headington Quarry she said: "I think its important to have areas free from dogs occasionally but you have got to have somewhere to walk them too."