The woman used emulsion paint to circle a dog poo in Union Street in the early hours of Sunday morning and scrawled a warning to other dog owners saying: "Clean up after your dogs you filthy people".

But her protest has received a mixed reaction from locals.

While some are supportive, others feel what she has done is an act of vandalism.

Union Street is just yards from the popular Nairn Links and seafront, a popular area for dog owners exercising their pets.

The woman, who didn't want to be named said she felt compelled to take action because nobody seemed to be tackling the problem.

She told the Highland News: "The Provost (Liz Macdonald) seems to think that telling people to clean up after their dogs will help but that doesn't work.

"People have been saying this for years but nothing has changed. I was driven to this as I was in despair. I didn't do it lightly.

"Speak to anyone around here and they will tell you it is disgusting. Every day dog faeces are left in the street.

"I have lived here for 25 years and the problem doesn't go away.

"Owners let their dogs come into my driveway and they defecate on my drive. The final straw came when I dragged dog's dirt into my house on the bottom of my shoe and it got onto my carpet. It cost me £300 to get it cleaned."

But the protest has received a mixed reaction from householders in the area.

One resident whose house lies next to the painted protest revealed on Monday night two elderly ladies were out trying to clean the paint off.

"The obviously didn't succeed. The sign has made a bigger mess than the dog's dirt. I don't know who the ladies were but they were out with cleaning materials in the dark and brushes but the paint is still there "Whoever did this has a point but unfortunately you get dog fouling everywhere and this isn't going to stop it."

Elena Reid, a local mother-of-two launched her own campaign to clean up Nairn's streets of dog mess a couple of months ago in the Highland News, added: "I just hope nobody thinks it was me.

"It's not a nice way to go about this. I have organised a competition for school children to make posters and hopefully that will raise awareness about this issue.

"Unfortunately we just don't know how to stop those responsible. I feel strongly about this but I wouldn't break the law to make my point."

Another Fishertown resident said the graffiti is street vandalism and an attack on all dog-owners.

The message which highlighted the fouling problem in Nairn.

"I was horrified when I saw it," said retired production manager 73-year-old David Harrold.

"I walk my daughter's dog regularly in this area and I have to say most people do clean up after their dogs.

"But there are the few irresponsible owners who just let their dogs run out after dark giving them a free rein and let them do the business without clearing up after them.

"But this graffiti is the wrong way to go about things.

"It's been painted in emulsion and I think it will take some time to clear.

"The language used too is insulting to every dog owner."

Mr Harrold, who lives nearby added: "I can understand people getting angry and frustrated by the problem. But this is in effect an anonymous letter and it's an act of vandalism. I wonder if the person who wrote it sees it that way."

Other neighbours however felt the protesters's point was well made.

"There's far too much dog muck lying around," said one resident. "It's maybe a bit extreme to get a point across but it certainly will do that."

The protesting pensioner however was unrepentant: "I have never seen a dog warden and people just ignore warning signs. I used emulsion and hopefully water will wash it away. I can't understand responsible dog owners being offended. It was not directed at them. Do they not think dog mess is vandalism? Direct action like this is needed because the council has done nothing.

"What we need are dog wardens who are effective."

A Highland Council spokesperson said: "The council is fully aware of local concerns regarding dog fouling in Nairn and Fishertown. Although we understand people's frustrations we cannot condone this sort of action and continue to urge anyone wishing to report incidents of dog fouling to contact Highland Council's TEC services on 01667 458540 or visit Nairn Service Point.

"In February this year we issued an appeal from the Provost of Nairn, councillor Liz Macdonald urging dog owners to comply with the law and be responsible by cleaning up after their dogs.

"To help members of the public act responsibly, the Council has provided over 70 bins for the disposal of dog waste and the public can collect free "scoop the poop" bags from the Service Point. Signs throughout the area advises dog owners to 'bag it and bin it'"

d.wilson@highland-news.co.uk

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