A POOP scoop bye law could be in the pipeline for Hyndburn parks and recreation grounds.

Borough councillors are this week being recommended to seek the introduction of the bye law requiring any person in charge of a dog to remove faeces deposited by their dog.

The legislation is likely to take between 18 months and two years to introduce but would cover parks, recreation grounds and town gardens where the council provide dog waste bins and promotional signs. The authority's voluntary scheme has generally been successful, with feedback indicating a core of responsible dog owners are taking advantge of free poop scoops.

An estimated 100 tonnes of dog waste has been collected since the dog management scheme started.

Last year the council spent £4,250 on 50,000 poop scoops to promote the scheme.

However, some dog owners have been obstinate in their refusal to voluntarily use poop scoops, says a report being presented to the leisure services committee tomorrow.

Without a bye law the park ranger and other ground maintenance staff are powereless to deter irresponsible owners, it adds.

The proposed bye law already applies to footpaths, grass verges, pedestrian areas and roads.

Officers are also to look at a cheaper type of poop scoop, which would still be given away free, and the possibility of further savings by selling advertising space on poop scoop bags.

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