WAVERLEY'S council taxpayers will be footing the bill for a huge clean-up operation to remove dog mess from public places, it was revealed this week.
Since the movement restrictions were imposed in a bid to contain the foot-and-mouth outbreak, the borough has seen a dramatic increase in dog mess left on recreation grounds and pavements.
Complaints to the council have rocketed and it has instructed waste contractor Arkeco to increase the frequency of street and park cleaning.
This in turn has forced costs up which will be bourne by the local taxpayers. But as an increasing number of public spaces were being re-opened this week, Waverley said the clean-up operation was being scaled down.
The council is keen to remind dog owners of the places they can walk their dogs and how they can avoid dangers - and the extra cost - by clearing up after their pets.
"We appreciate that this is a difficult time for dog owners, but as a precautionary measure, dogs should be kept on a lead at all times," said the council's environment manager, Martin Shorten.
"Dogs off the lead may come into contact with wildlife that could potentially carry foot and mouth disease, so it makes sense to keep them on a lead, in accordance with advice from MAFF's chief veterinary officer.
"For reasons of hygiene, dogs should always be kept away from sports pitches and children's playgrounds."
Waverley's animal control officers emphasised the need for owners to clean up after their animals and to use special bags to dispose of the waste in litter and wheelie bins.
The free bags are available from the council's locality offices in Farnham, Haslemere and Cranleigh.
Concerns have also been raised about the possible risks to children from the parasites carried in dogs faeces.
Dog owners who need more information can call Waverley's animal control officers on 01483 869324.
A Waverley spokesman said that no figure could be put on the cost at this stage because it is an on-going operation.
Dog owners are being welcomed to a number of public areas in Waverley, as long as they keep their pets on a lead and clean up after them.
Locally, these are: Farnham Park, Rowledge recreation ground, Sandy Hill Topfield, Upper Hale, Weybourne recreation ground, and Wrecclesham recreation ground.
Around the borough, these areas include: Marchants Hill, Hindhead, Lion Green, Shepherd Hill and Town Meadow, Haslemere, Chiddingfold Green, Chiddingfold, Crownpits recreation ground, Busbridge Lane, Burys Field, Holloway Hill and Phillips Memorial ground, Godalming and Jubilee Field, The Pleck and Milford Heath, in Milford.