A POOPING pooch and an irresponsible dog owner have taken aim at a ‘clean up after your dog’ sign.

Stephen Middleditch found the fresh mess planted on the pavement at the corner of Cavendish Road and Selwyn Avenue, in Highams Park, yesterday (April 27).

With particularly good aim, the offender ironically landed its mess on a bright yellow stencil designed to encourage dog owners to pick up after their pets.

Mr Middleditch said he narrowly avoided running his daughter’s scooter through it, but still managed to find the funny side.

He said: “It’s a slightly gross photo I know, but who says dogs don't have a sense of humour?”

But it will certainly fall foul of campaigners, who were out in force in Highams Park on Saturday, April 15, to boost their ‘bin your dog mess’ initiative.

Tory councillors John Moss and Sheree Rackham handed out leaflets while putting up over 100 posters and spraying more than 20 stencils on the ground.

Also seeing the funny side is Luciano Da Silva, who suggested the cats of Highams Park may secretly be behind the foul play.

He said: "Cats have always been known to hate dogs and they probably did this while under the cover of darkness.

"Well thought out plan and we all fell for it hook, line and stinker."

If Waltham Forest dog owners are caught not picking up after their pets in public, they could be fined £80, which if not paid within 14 days, can rise to £1,000.