Islington’s �240,000 “dog squad” went on patrol this week – amid criticism that it is costing too much.

The 22-strong team will be prowling the borough’s streets seven days a week for the next three months, on the hunt for owners who are caught leaving their pets’ mess.

Culprits will be fined �80 while a “shop-a-dropper” hotline has also been launched on 020 7527 7272, which residents can ring to inform on known offenders. But opposition councillor Greg Foxsmith, who represents Hillrise ward for the Lib Dems, said: “Never in the history of street cleaning has so much been paid by so many for poo. In a few weeks’ time, when the money has been squandered and the contract is over, it will be business as usual – and the streets of Islington will once again be paved with dog mess.”