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DOG FOULING FINE

DOG OWNERS could face a £40 fine for allowing their pets to foul streets and other public places.

And if they do not pay in time, the cost goes up to £60.

Councillors were this week being asked to rubber-stamp moves to give council group managers the power to issue fixed penalty tickets to offenders. The job could be taken on by community wardens - Dumfries and Galloway Council are bidding for funding from the Scottish Executive for two although it has not yet been decided where they will be based.

The new Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act which came into effect yesterday (Wednesday) makes it easier for councils to clamp down on offenders. Although they have had powers to deal with the problem under existing legislation, they have not been easy to enforce.

Now, the new Act will give the council powers to issue fixed penalty notices to people who fail to clear up after their dog has fouled in any public place.

That includes pavements, footpaths, roads, parks, recreational pitches, cycle ways, communal land, stairs, closes and any public land.