Frustrated residents have been told they must count 18 piles of poop before a council will take action over a long-running dog mess complaint.


Since 2009, neighbours in a block of flats on Witham’s Forest Road estate have been complaining about a fellow resident whom they claim has been failing to clear up dog mess on her own patio.

Former Bramston School pupil Denise Saunders has made numerous complaints to Braintree Council and claims she once counted 32 piles of poop on her neighbour’s patio.

A council spokesman said: “There is an abatement notice in place in regard to the property, and the authority has not taken action, as, at this stage we do not consider the terms of the notice to have been breached."