South Hams District Council has removed bins specifically for dog waste from a nearby beach.

Local residents have taken to social media to protest, fearing a dog ban on the National Trust owned beach, South Milton Sands.

Debbie Maher posted on social media about the issue, She wrote: “This will be a disaster once we have the holiday season upon us.”

Many locals are exasperated by the removal of the bin and some have asked that all dog owners pick up and take waste home with them.

The impracticalities of doing so have been pointed out by many people on social media. Chief among which is the unpleasantness of carrying home full bags in the car on warm days.

SHDC advised they removed the bin as a result of fly-tipping and side waste where users have left bags of dog waste beside the bin when it is full, assuming it will be collected with the contents.

A spokesman from SHDC said: “During the peak holiday season, the amount of waste left beside the dog waste bin has been utterly disgusting and has the potential to cause a health risk.”

Philip Cole’s post on Facebook, advises this is not the only area this happens.

He posted: “I take my dog up to the fields above Norton Brook GP Practice and am shocked at the number of abandoned (full) poo bags in the undergrowth.”

Some have suggested that, while responsible dog owners clean up after their pets, it would be best not to bag it if there is no bin provided, and instead, flick it into the undergrowth where it can break down and return to the ground. However, others have pointed out that children then run the risk of being contaminated by it.

Pamela Robinson responded to the comment on a local Facebook group, writing: “There is no other solution but a properly operated provision of disposal and collection service for dog waste.”

SHDC’s spokesman said: “When considering how we should handle the situation, the council did take into consideration whether it was a good use of tax payers’ money to provide a public waste service for the beach and cafe, neither of which is owned by the council.

“For this reason, the dog waste bin has been removed. This does not stop the landowners and business owners from providing facilities for their users if they wish.”

The National Trust issued a statement advising there are two more council dog bins within approximately 200 metres of the site which are available to use.

They said: “The local National Trust team are working closely with SHDC Environmental Enforcement and proactively attend the site, clearing up any waste which is left.”

They, too, strongly encourage dog owners to take their waste home.