Just eight people were caught failing to clear up their dog’s mess last year in the Canterbury district.

The figures were released by the city council under the Freedom of Information Act, following a request from us.

They come as it emerged that a mystery crusader has been roaming Whitstable sticking flags in piles of poo urging owners to clear up after their animals.

The council is defending its record in tackling dogs’ faeces.

Spokesman Rob Davies said: “Eight fixed penalty notices may not seem many, but it is in fact very difficult to catch people not cleaning up after their dogs, because we have to witness the incident.

“Although we have street scene inspectors, they are in council uniform, and no sensible person would let their dog foul while knowing they are being watched.

“Staff carry out plain-clothes patrols at all times of day in popular dog walking areas, but do not catch anybody either.

“While we occasionally have short-term problems with fouling in specific areas, as we are seeing in Whitstable at the moment, the truth is that dog fouling in this district is not a major problem.”

Six people were caught in Canterbury at Turnagain Lane, Broad Oak Road, Dane John Gardens (twice), Westgate Gardens and Sturry Road.

Two were caught in Whitstable at St John’s Road and Duncan Downs.

Anyone caught letting a dog foul can be hit with an £80 fixed penalty notice which drops to £50 if it is paid within 10 days.

•Mystery dog poo spotter speaks out, see this week's Whitstable Gazette.