A COUNCILLOR has funded dog dirt bags out of his own pocket to help rid Shadsworth and Whitebirk of dog mess.

Coun Ron O’Keeffe said he would be putting up posters and handing out letters to dog owners as part of a campaign to encourage people to clean up after their pets.

He said: “Every time we have community meetings, dog dirt and complaints about it being on pavements, grass verges, playing fields and so forth come up.

“I got in touch with Keep Britain Tidy and they sent me 30 or 40 posters which I've had laminated, and I've got permission from the legal department at the council and Capita to have them put on lampposts.

“I've got somebody supplying me the bags at a very low price and I'm going to put them in bundles and give them out for free.

“I've got a lot of Keep Britain Tidy leaflets, which I will hand out to dog owners when I see them, and a letter from me asking them to use the free bags.”

The bags will be available at Halls General Store in Shadsworth Road, at Shadsworth Community Centre on Tuesdays from 9.30am to 11am, and at Knuzden Church Hall on Saturdays from 1pm to 3pm.

The former magistrate said: “I do a lot of litter picking around the ward and the other day I went out on Shadsworth playing field.

“I must have picked up about 20 full bags. People are collecting in bags but then leaving the bags on the playing field, which is useless.

“The message will be put it in a bin or take it home and put it in your own bin.

“At one time you couldn't do that, but now the law says you can put in in your domestic bin.”

Last week a Nelson man was forced to pay more than £400 for failing to clean up after his dog.

Counm O'Keeffe said he was in favour of the punishment given to Martin Rouski, 38, who was caught by Pendle Council’s environmental crime officers letting his border collie foul in Conduit Street in October last year.

Jill Partington, Keep Britain Tidy spokesman, said the charity supported Coun O'Keefe's efforts.

She said: “Dog mess is not only unsightly but poses a real health threat to the public, as it can cause toxocariasis, which causes blindness.

“Dog owners should be reminded to put their dog dirt in any bin to keep our streets safe.”