ST HELENS Council is not messing around with irresponsible dog owners by blitzing areas of the borough where fouling is a problem.

Because of the continuing high level of complaints, the authority is boosting new'poop scoop laws' which have already seen many owners served with £25 fixed penalty fines for failing to clean up after their dogs.

Free poop scoops are now readily available from local council offices and the Park Ranger Service.

Councillor Richard Ward, chairman of Housing and Environmental Services, said: "We urge people to be considerate of their neighbours and the public. A dog warden cannot be present on every occasion when an offence is committed and I would ask anyone who witnesses a dog fouling offence to consider contacting the dog wardens if they are willing to give a formal statement. In these cases the council is then able to consider taking legal action against offenders."

The dog warden service can be contacted at Wesley House, Corporation Street, St Helens, telephone 01744 456335.

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