A STINK has erupted over dog dirt detectives on the prowl for fouling four-legged friends.

At least six complaints have been made in recent months about over-zealous dog wardens working for Richmondshire District Council.

Pet lovers landed with a fixed penalty ticket for failing to clear up after their pooch have accused the wardens of fining the wrong owner and failing to show proper identification.

One owner complained after he was fined for not cleaning up after his dog with diarrhoea.

And pensioner Jean Williams, 74, of Catterick Village, claims she was stalked by a warden, who then handed her a £50 fine after she failed to notice her dog had left a mess.

She said: "I was walking in a field which is too long for children to play in and is only ever used for exercising dogs.

"I heard somebody shout and beckon to me. I was scared because when I first moved here a lady was attacked on the other side of the river.

"Nobody is more against dog fouling in the wrong place than me, but stalking an elderly woman, on her own in a field, just isn't on."

The complaints have prompted Catterick councillor Tony Pelton to call a meeting to discuss the problem.

He said: "People are being frightened by the wardens approaching them. I personally feel this is very wrong.

"I would like to see a copy of the customer care policy for the wardens, so the council can discuss how people are being treated in Richmondshire."

The council contracts out its dog warden service to Animal Wardens Ltd.

Yesterday, a spokesman for the company said it was unaware of any complaints about its staff.

Last year, the council also trained some of its street cleaning and grounds maintenance staff to issue fixed penalty notices.

Sean Little, head of the council's environmental protection unit, has rejected the criticism of the wardens.

He said: "I don't accept the complaints. The wardens are trained to a high standard."

In the past two years, the council has seen a 42 per cent rise in calls from residents about dog mess.

The dog warden service will be discussed at a meeting of the council's environment and planning committee on Tuesday.