DOG owners in Ramsgate's Ellington Park are being targeted by a man impersonating a council official and demanding cash for "fines".

The Friends of Ellington Park group has received complaints about the man who asks for £50 from park users, claiming their dog had fouled or was not on a lead.

A Thanet council spokesman also confirmed it had also received a report of someone trying to trick dog owners.

Council leader Clive Hart, who is also TDC's cabinet member for corporate and regulatory services, said: "We're horrified to learn that someone may have been pretending to be a council dog warden and collecting money in this way.

"The council's dog wardens issue Fixed Penalty Notices on the spot to people, which cost £80 to pay, or £60 if paid within seven days. No council or police officer collects cash for on-the-spot fines and if anyone is approached by someone claiming to be from the council or the police, who is attempting to collect cash, then they should contact the police immediately."

But Friends chairman Sheree Bell said the con was inevitable because of a lack of official enforcement.

She said: "There is an issue around dog fouling in the park and there aren't enough dog wardens around, so it was only a matter of time before someone tried to cash in on it.

"We are lacking a service and in these difficult times you will get conmen."

More information on Thanet's dog by-laws can be found on the council website at www.thanet.gov.uk under Environment and Planning, the community dog wardens can be contacted on 01843 577580.