PEOPLE who see their neighbours' dogs foul paths and parks have been urged to drop them in it -- and tell the local council!

Hyndburn Council is adopting a zero tolerance approach to the problem of dog muck, saying owners could be fined up to £1,000 if they fail to clean up after their pooches.

Council officials are urging residents to shop owners who don't use the 150 dog waste bins around the borough.

The council is also increasing patrols in the worst affected areas, and reviewing its provision of dog bins to try to identify any gaps.

The move comes after a group of students from Accrington and Rossendale College, some of them wheelchair bound and some visually impaired, had to leave Peel Park because the amount of dog fouling prevented them getting through.

Some students even got dog excrement on their hands, said a Hyndburn Council spokesman.

The students were so upset by the incident they presented a petition to the council urging the authority to take action.

Coun Brian Walmsley, portfolio holder for leisure and public open spaces, said: "The students' experience highlights the current problem, and I would appeal to all dog walkers to use the bins, most of which are situated in, or next to, parks and green spaces."

The worst affected areas were Peel Park and Cutwood Park, he said. The council can issue the offenders with £50 on-the-spot fines, or prosecute people through the courts where they could face a maximum fine of £1,000.

Coun Walmsley said: "When we have kiddies playing about, it's not on. There's no thought for anybody else. How would they like it if their kids went home full of dog muck, it's just crazy. If we need to take someone to court, that's what we will do. We have given enough warning. We are taking a zero tolerance approach to this."

Steve Todd, the council's chief environmental officer, said: "A high percentage of the fouling appears to occur late at night and in the early morning during the hours of darkness when people think they can't be seen. The council's dog warden will be carrying out increased surveillance in these areas, in addition to his borough-wide patrols.

"Anyone caught allowing their dog to foul without removing it will be served with a fixed penalty for £50, or alternatively face prosecution in the magistrates court with a maximum fine of £1,000."

The council is offering free dog waste bags to dog walkers, available from Accrington town hall and at area council meetings. Residents can call the dog warden on 01254 380643/4 if they see any incidents of dog fouling.