Following a recent story on dog sickness in Exmouth, in which a vet explains that faeces could be a factor in spreading the virus - click the red button below for more - readers expressed concern that dog mess was a particularly bad problem in the area.

Nub News contacted East Devon District Council for their comment on the issue of dog litter in Exmouth.

A spokesperson for EDDC told us: "The streets of Exmouth and East Devon have never been cleaner and we know that the vast majority of dog owners always pick up.

"There is no evidence of a dog fouling problem in Exmouth generally, although some members of the public still mention this on the basis of perception rather than evidence.

"Most dog owners walk their dogs in public open spaces rather than on the roads and pavements of built up areas.

"Dog owners must keep their dogs on a lead on pavements and streets, which allows them to ensure that their dog does not come into contact with any occasional deposits they may come across.

"Residents who are worried about high levels of fouling in any area can report their concerns to the StreetScene team via the council switchboard.

"The team can then clear it up and commence local education initiatives if appropriate.

"The environmental protection team issue fixed penalty notices to people who have been seen allowing their dogs to foul or taking them into areas where they are not allowed.

"The various controls are there for a reason and are supported by the local communities, so the council is asking everyone to respect them.

"The team are keen to receive a description or details of anyone seen not complying with dog controls."

If you wish to report an issue regarding dog fouling it can be done via the East Devon District Council website (eastdevon.gov.uk/dogs/dog-fouling-and-dog-bins) or the East Devon app.