TODAY (Fri Oct 1) is D-Day for dog owners who will now be prosecuted if they don't clean up after their pets

Town hall bosses say they will not hesitate to use the new laws, which come in today, Friday, to fine owners up to £1,000.

Dog wardens have already been busy over the past three months, giving advice to almost 2,000 owners and issuing 30 verbal and eight written warnings during the amnesty period.

Complaints of dog muck prompted the council to spend an extra £120,000 this year on employing more wardens and placing dog foul bins in public parks and open spaces.

Councillor Mike Connolly, public protection spokesman, said: "We are not anti-dog, it is simply a case of being anti-dog fouling.

"If owners are not prepared to clean up after their pets, then they will now face the possibility of prosecution.

"The time has come to get tough on those who continue to allow this anti-social problem."

Under the new legislation, dog fouling is not allowed on any land within the borough which the public are entitled or have access to.

The only exceptions are roads with a speed limit of more than 40mph and land running alongside them, agricultural or woodlands, marshland, moor, heath and rural common land.

On the designated areas, owners can be prosecuted if they fail to clean up after their pet unless there is a reasonable excuse or, they have the consent of the owner, occupier or other authority.

The regulations do not apply to guide dogs for registered blind people.

Coun Connolly said: "Dog fouling is a problem that has been with us for many years and needs stamping out once and for all.

"Owners have got to take responsibility for their pets and clean up after them, it is as simple as that.

"Dog owners have now been warned, we hope that they have been listening."

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