A STRATEGY to combat the scourge of dog fouling in the region will take time for Scottish Borders Council to prepare and implement.

But Councillor David Paterson, executive member for environmental services, stressed last week: “This is such an important issue that we have to get it right.

“Hopefully, the public will be happy with the result.”

On October 7, Mr Paterson announced he had instructed council officers to develop a new “strategic approach” to dog fouling and that this would be presented to councillors “at the earliest opportunity”.

Mr Paterson was reminded of that commitment at Thursday’s full council meeting by Councillor Watson McAteer (Ind, Hawick and Denholm).

“Given five weeks have passed since your statement and that this now appears to be the ‘earliest opportunity’, can you explain why you have been unable to deliver the new strategy and can you provide an indication when we are likely to have it brought before this council?” asked Mr McAteer, a retired divisional police commander.

He was told by Mr Paterson: “I understand the negative impact dog fouling has on our communities and it is something that affects everyone.

“This council will tackle it and I recognise it is a key priority for the public.

“Officers are currently considering feedback from elected members of the [ruling] administration on the proposals and will bring a full report to council once these have been finalised.

“This will be at the earliest opportunity, but this issue is so important that time must be taken to consider the best ways to combat the problem.

“In the meantime, I will be writing to the Scottish Government requesting an update on its review of the dog fouling legislation and its plans for increasing the fixed penalty amount.”

At present, the local authority encourages Borderers to report incidents online and warns transgressors they will be faced with a £40 fixed penalty notice, rising to £60 if not paid within 28 days.

Back in October, Mr Paterson conceded there were circumstances in which pursuing pet owners for fines was not appropriate, such as where a household was assessed as “vulnerable” and where it was not economically viable for the council.

However, an indication of the strength of public feeling about dog fouling was evidenced in a recent Police Scotland survey of people in Selkirkshire who were asked about their policing priorities.

Dog fouling was the second most popular area of concern cited in the survey, behind antisocial behaviour, but ahead of speeding motorists and the misuse of drugs.