PHOTOGRAPHS taken by the public could be used to prosecute dog owners who fail to clear up after their pets.
The measures, which also include naming and shaming offending dog owners, are part of a raft of ideas put forward by Burnley Council bosses to tackle the problem.
Photographs sent in to the council by one resident have already been used as evidence against a dog owner who was issued with a fixed penalty notice.
Other proposals agreed by councillors last night include naming and shaming offenders in local newspapers, creating more secure dog bins to prevent the contents being used as missiles by youths and making staff members, such as community wardens and dog wardens responsibility for enforcement.
The names of offenders will appear in the local press after they have been prosecuted.
Coun Tony Lambert, who is a member of the environment scrutiny committee and was also on the working group on dog fouling, said: "We believe in zero tolerance on this issue. It is disgusting that people do not clean up after their dogs.
"We are glad the executive has given its backing to our recommendations. It is a matter of educating people."
Coun Barry Guttridge, executive member for leisure, said: "This is all about getting the public involved in helping with enforcement. If anyone has a problem with someone's dog fouling, they need to contact us and we can explain how they can help us clamp down on it."
Irresponsible owners who refuse to remove dog dirt can already be punished with a £50 fixed penalty and face prosecution if they refuse to pay or continue to offend.
The working group of councillors and officers was formed to investigate how to reduce the problem and to investigate whether dog bins were in the correct locations.
Its research revealed community wardens were wary of exercising enforcement powers and had suggested handing out bags to dog owners.
Problems were also uncovered with the security of dog bins due to youths removing the contents to use as missiles and propose 15 new secure dog bins to prevent this.
A public consultation exercise showed support for the fixed penalty enforcement and for a zero tolerance approach including naming and shaming offenders.
The fixed penalty notices would be handed out by dog wardens, community wardens, and park rangers.
Other proposed solutions include involving councillors and the public to get involved in gathering evidence for the enforcement process.
The proposals include a recommendation that progress should be monitored during the next six months.
The report was approved by the council's executive at a meeting last night.
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