DOG owners in Pendle will find themselves in court if they fall foul of the council's poop patrol. Fifteen council staff have been trained to put new legislation into practice and will be scouring the area to ensure owners comply.

They have vowed to prosecute anyone who breaks the law by failing to clean up after their pets.

Previously, the rule applied to pavements, but now it includes grass verges, back streets, roads and all council-owned land such as sports pitches, parks and cemeteries.

Environmental health manager Stuart Arnott said: "Many people get hot under the collar about dog fouling and the council receives hundreds of complaints every year.

"Dog fouling isn't just unsightly, it is a very real health hazard especially for children playing in our parks and football pitches."

The council is putting an extra 25 dog bins around Pendle and owners are being asked to carry a pooper scooper and a bag in case their animal is 'caught short' and to put the dirt in with their domestic refuse at home if there are no dog bins.

For details about buying pooper scoopers contact the dog wardens on 661167.

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