by Andy Gray

Dog owners in Maidstone are creatures of habit when it comes to disposing of their pets' waste.

Despite a dog bin in Boxley Road having been removed months ago, people continue to tie poop-filled plastic bags to the post where it stood.

This unofficial dumping ground at the busy junction of Lower Boxley Road has caused a stink with Cllr Tony Harwood.

He claims Maidstone council is creating a mess by ditching bins across town, including one at Vinters Park.

Cllr Harwood (Lib Dem), pictured right, said: "There's been an upsurge in dog mess in east Maidstone and the situation is being compounded by the removal of dog waste bins.

"Why pay for an expensive High Street regeneration when basic services like dog bins are being taken away?

"All it's going to do is lead to further dog fouling in the streets and bags of dog waste hanging from hedgerows and shrub beds."

Cllr Harwood said dog owners needed to be responsible in disposing of their pets' waste.

He claimed the situation in Boxley Road was "unhygienic" and an "eyesore".

"Dog owners are told to get rid of waste responsibly, but then bins are being taken away," he said.

Maidstone council services the borough's estimated 350 dog bins after ditching a sub-contractor in 2011, when it also considered removing all dog waste bins. The idea was soon scrapped.

It said a bin would be removed from "time to time" depending on its use or misuse.

The spokesman added: "We encourage residents to contact us if there is a dog fouling problem in their area, particularly if they have any information which can help identify irresponsible owners who do not clean up after their dogs.

"Our enforcement team will act on any information we receive."

From next month, the fine for dog fouling is set to rise from £50 to £75.