AN ANIMAL lover is kicking up a stink, after vandals destroyed three dog waste bins.

Retired David Glencorse walks his black Labrador Kia in areas around his home in Newton Hall, Durham, three to four times every day.

A responsible dog owner, he picks up any of Kia’s dirty business, depositing it in nearby bins installed for the purpose.

But he cried foul after three bins were wrecked within two weeks.

The first, near Canterbury Road, was burnt out two weeks ago.

Over the weekend, he noticed two more had been destroyed.

Mr Glencorse said: "I’ve never noticed this problem before but now it’s becoming too much.

"It’s obviously somebody who feels it’s a wheeze or a prank but it puts us in a bit of a position."

The 61-year-old says there is just one dog waste bin left in the area, near Peterborough Road.

"I’ve noticed it’s leading to people putting their dog waste in conventional bins.

"It puts you off picking it up at all," he said.

Durham County Council has removed the remains of the first bin to be destroyed, but not yet installed a replacement.

A council spokesman said it was aware of the issue.

He said the damaged bins would be replaced and officials would be monitoring the situation over coming weeks.