People visiting Borehamwood's parks could be forgiven for thinking there are some of very sick dogs in the town.

Fluorescent pink dog mess is appearing in parks and walkways throughout Borehamwood, Elstree, Radlett and Shenley but it's not the fault of our four-legged friends.

Hertsmere Council has launched a campaign to highlight the problem of dogs fouling in parks and play areas, by spraying the offending matter bright pink.

This makes it easier for council contractors to clean up, as they don't have to waste time looking for it first, and more importantly it makes it easier for parents to avoid the stinky deposits when taking their children out to play.

Dog mess is dangerous stuff, which can cause illnesses including blindness in children. It is also, obviously, unpleasant.

Since the campaign started on Monday, parks patrol officer Shaz Setoudeh said he had met dozens of people who were pleased something was being done about the dog mess in Hertsmere's parks.

He is also handing free poop-scoop bags to dog walkers, and information about why it is important to clean up after one's pooch when visiting the park.

"We are doing the campaign this week, but will also continue through the summer, targeting the parks early in the mornings," said Shaz.

"We are always going to get a minority of people who allow their dogs to foul the footpath and then walk away, but most people seem really supportive of the idea that they should bag up the mess and take it away."

The campaign is being run with help from the National Canine Defence League, and forms part of the national Poop Scoop Week, from June 14 to 21. The NCDL aims to promote responsible dog ownership, and is keen to show owners how irresponsible it is to leave their dogs' doings lying around in public.

Later this summer Hertsmere Council will install 50 new metal dog waste bins, which will be harder to vandalise than the old plastic ones, and will provide people with a place to deposit their deposits, without having to carry them all the way home.

And throughout the summer dog wardens and parks patrol officers will be handing out free pooper-scoopers, and providing information on responsible dog ownership.