A DOG-lover has slammed bone-idle owners who do not clean up their mutt's mess.

Wendy Lewis is fed up with dodging dog muck when she takes her springer spaniel, Cassie, out for a walk.

"I regularly take my dog out along the canal tow paths, or the footpaths around where I live," she said, "and I'm always disgusted by the amount of dog mess I'm forced to avoid along the way."

The 40-year-old mum-of-two said she was not able to enjoy the Worcestershire countryside because she had to keep her eyes firmly fixed to the ground.

"We're lucky enough to be surrounded by wonderful countryside and footpaths. It's just a shame that some bone idle dog-owners are too lazy and irresponsible to clean up after their pets.

"What's the problem with taking a bag, picking it up and putting it in a bin?"

Wendy, of Stafford Road, Warndon Villages, Worcester, always arms herself with plastic bags when she takes Cassie out so she can deposit any muck in a dog bin.

"I usually take two or three bags with me. And I'm one of the very few dog-owners who'll pick other dogs' mess up as well," she said.

In 1998, Worcester City Council adopted legislation outlawing dog-fouling on all land that is open to the public.

This made it illegal to allow your dog to foul and not immediately pick it up and dispose of it adequately.

Dog-owners could find themselves facing a fine of up to £1,000 if they do not clean up after their pooch.

"Since 1998, we've taken a number of prosecutions and issued a number of cautions in relation to issues reported to us by the public," said Martin Gillies, principal environmental health officer for the city council. "We're vigorously seeking to enforce the legislation."

There are more than 100 dog bins around the city, mostly in areas that are popular with dog walkers.

But Mr Gillies said there was no statutory obligation on the council to provide the bins.

"The onus is on the dog walkers to adequately dispose of the waste," he said.