A COUNCIL is to hold urgent discussions to tackle the problem of dog owners letting their animals foul public land.

Ribble Valley Council's community committee heard that new laws in 1996 clamping down on dog-fouling had gone some way to solving the problem.

But some pet owners are still behaving irresponsibly, councillors were told.

Coun Graham Sowter said: "When people say they are taking their dog for a walk, what they really mean is they are taking it to do its business in someone else's backyard. Sadly, people will not take their dog dirt home.

"If only we could reintroduce dog licences, councils could at least raise funds to tackle this problem.

"We have to be realistic and accept that we are going to have to spend money to declare war on dog dirt."

Coun Stephen Sutcliffe added: "What we need are one or two well-publicised fines before the public gets the message."

Commercial services director John Heap said the council's dog wardens had noticed a considerable improvement and reduction in levels of dog-fouling at most municipal sites.

"Dog wardens travel throughout the borough while undertaking pest control activities continually watch for dog-fouling offences being committed. It must be appreciated that this is secondary to their pest control and stray dog duties.

"To date four offences have resulted in the issue of £25 fixed penalty notices, but the wardens are finding that most of the dog owners approached and observed are behaving responsibly," he said.

Councillors agreed to provide additional dog waste bins at target sites and hold urgent discussions with parish councils to draw up further measures.

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