AN outraged Halesowen dad has launched a petition calling for Leasowes Park to be cleared of discarded bags of dog poo and offenders to be fined.

Richard Aulton, who regularly takes his two-year-old son Jack, for walks around the Grade 1 listed grounds, has spotted a growing number of the stomach-churning packages.

The 32-year-old, of Westbourne Road, accused irresponsible dog owners of treating the park with “disregard and disrespect”.

He said: “There were about 10 bags left on the ground by a bush, they are hanging from trees and even from a gate.”

“I want to take my little boy for a walk around the park without the worry that he will pick up one of these bags and start messing with it.”

Mr Aulton added: “I don't get it myself, people go through the effort of picking it up in the black bag, but are then discarding it in the nearest bush or hanging it from a gate, tree or nearest thing.”

The charity operations manager launched his petition on Tuesday calling for more dog waste bins around the park and signs warning people they will be prosecuted if caught dropping litter, including poo bags.

He also wants the council to be seen to be prosecuting and publicising cases and for measures to be put in place to clean up other litter and rubbish from the park.

But Dudley Council’s strategic director for place Alan Lunt said: “We are aware of the occasional problems with people leaving bags of dog fouling on the floor of this beautiful open space.

We would remind people that we do carry out enforcement and people face a £75 fine if they are caught.

“There are plenty of dog foul bins at Leasowes and we would urge people to use them so they do not spoil such an important, picturesque setting for other people.”

The petition attracted 17 signatures in the first 24 hours and anyone wishing to sign can do so at www.gopetition.com/petitions/clean-up-leasowes-park.html