IF anyone recalls my column from last month then you will know that I'm a dog owner.

With this I accept the responsibility that comes along with owning a pet - including cleaning up after her.

The messy issue of dog fouling is something which I know angers many people - especially in our public parks and greenspaces.

It's bad enough when lazy dog owners leave the mess behind when no-one is watching, but it's even worse when someone lets their dog foul all over the pavement, laughs and walks off.

That's exactly what happened right on my front doorstep last week.

I'd arrived home and noticed a young couple walking along the street with a little staffie.

My first thought was actually 'what a lovely little dog' - that was before they preceded to let it repeatedly foul on the pavement right outside my house for about 50 yards.

Not to worry I thought, maybe naively, as I lifted some stuff out the boot, these things happen and they'll pick it up.

I was wrong.

After pointing back and having a laugh over their shoulders at the mess their pet had left in the street - they walked off chuckling.

I confronted them from my doorstep and asked whether they had any intention of cleaning it up, pointing out that there are young children who live on our street.

After a bare-faced lie about them not noticing it I walked inside before my temper took over.

I had hoped they might chap the door, apologise, even ask for plastic bag to clean it up.

What they actually did was disappear from sight.

I have a good idea of who is responsible and, if you happen to be reading this, know that I cleaned it up for you.

You're welcome.

If you have a problem with dog fouling in your area and would like us to highlight it, please email editorial@dumbartonreporter.co.uk or myself at equigley@dumbartonreporter.co.uk.

You can also follow me on Twitter @dvlreditor.

Emma Quigley editor