I have to applaud Blackburn with Darwen Council for its initiative in piloting a scheme in Blackburn that will hopefully lead to the prosecution of irresponsible dog owners who fail to clean up after their pets.

Such positive action, to tackle this issue, is long overdue.

As a dog owner myself, I am appalled by the proliference of dog mess on our streets; on playing fields and parks, and where doggy bags have been inexplicably thrown on the ground, or worse still discarded in bushes and trees.

I agree wholeheartedly that such irresponsible and anti-social behaviour should be met by heavy fines and the ‘naming and shaming’ of such people.

Existing legislation has been completely ineffective in tackling this problem, and I have never seen evidence in the newspapers of anyone being found guilty of such offences.

Perhaps the council could adopt a similar initiative to tackle the far bigger problem of litter on our streets.

Noel Eke, Darwen.