MINEHEAD’S dog poo vigilante has returned to action after his three month Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) expired.

Steven Heard, 47, who is registered deaf and suffers from mobility problems, patrols Minehead on his mobility scooter picking up dog poo left around the town - particularly in the Culvercliffe area.

When he takes his dog for walks in the central, rural and coastal parks in the town, he repeatedly has to clean mess from the wheels of his scooter, and it is this which first drove him to campaign for change.

Mr Heard has said that at its worst, he can pick up to 50 bags worth of dog poo in a day.

However, he has divided opinion after taking matters into his own hands, using water-soluble spray paint to highlight the faeces, spray painting messages and leaving signs to encourage dog walkers to clean up after their pups. 

He was handed a three month Acceptable Behaviour Contract but this expired earlier this month and Mr Heard is back out on patrol.

West Somerset Council would not state whether Mr Heard would be handed another ABC but said: “The council is engaged in ongoing discussions with Mr Heard but does not comment on an individual case such as this.

“The council takes the issue of dog fouling very seriously and complaints regarding dog fouling and heavily fouled areas are investigated by the Environmental Health team.

“Routine patrols take place in areas where complaints are received , we educate dog owners regarding responsible dog ownership including fouling, micro-chipping and keeping control of dogs in public open spaces.”

Mr Heard’s plight has made national headlines and has featured in The Sun, The Mirror and on BBC Points West in recent months.

Mr Heard said: “The council cannot stop me from my campaign to clean up Minehead. I am not worried about getting another ABC contract.”