A NOTICE warning dog walkers they could find "s**t on their doorstep" if they failed to clean up after their pets has been removed following complaints.

Bourne End Marina site manager Peter Osborne said he was spurred into putting up the notice following continuous problems with dog owners ruining the marina by leaving dog mess behind.

Defiant Mr Osborne said: "Yes it was a bit strong, but maybe it's had an effect. I'll say in all honesty that I've had some dog walkers come in and actually congratulate me for putting it up there.

"It's deplorable. Hopefully this made them take some notice."

Mr Osborne was ordered by developer Michael Shanly, who own the marina, to take down the notice on Tuesday.

Joanna Stevens, 34, was walking her cross Labrador collie Archie on Monday when she saw the notice.

The computer specialist, from Bourne End, said: "It's absolutely outrageous that he saw fit to vent his frustration with something as offensive as this.

"This is only going to make people even more angry."

She blamed overflowing poop bins on the mess.

Mr Osborne admitted one bin was inaccessible but added: "This is no excuse. It's a simple matter of dog walkers having a bag and taking their mess away. I love dogs and am a nice chap really. I am very sorry that people didn't feel like they could have come to me with their complaints."

Lois Stock, the clerk of Wooburn Parish Council, which is in charge of some pathways at the marina, said she was not aware of the notice, and that the council could not have ordered Mr Osborne to remove anything from private land.

January 24, 2003 10:00