FROM the new year, irresponsible dog owners caught failing to pick up their pet's mess in a street will be fined £100.

Burnley Council has increased its fine for dog fouling in a bid to tackle the issue in the borough.

This comes as a group, set up by the new council administration to investigate the issue, has reported its recommendations back to the full council.

Other recommendations include setting up a telephone hotline for people to report dog fouling hot spots so that enforcement work can be more effectively targeted, as well as increased enforcement patrols, more signage and information posters, and an education campaign in schools to inspire children to spread the ‘clean it up’ message and encourage their parents to pick up after their dog.

Cllr Cosima Towneley, working group chairman, said: “We’ve decided to increase the fine for dog fouling to serve as a greater deterrent and to demonstrate the council’s determination to take a robust approach on an issue that is a key area of public concern.