Published: Friday, 5th February, 2010 12:08pm

Canine crackdown to clean up fouling

IT has created a stink for years. But, despite several high profile campaigns, some dog owners in the Borders are still failing to clean up after their pets.

And now Scottish Borders Council has announced a new crackdown against dog fouling.

Wardens have vowed to step up patrols following a rise in the number of complaints in recent weeks.

And dog owners who fail to clean up after their pets can be issued with fixed penalty fines of £40.

The local authority's Waste Strategy & SB Wardens Manager, Julie Rankine said: "Dog fouling is a major concern for many and we are determined to stamp it out.

"Most people are aware of the issues surrounding dog waste and take a responsible attitude towards clearing up. However, we will be taking stricter action from now on against dog owners who do not make any attempt to clear up after their animals."

The Wardens service is part of the Safer Communities Team and uses 'intelligence-led' methods of tackling the problem - with information from Police and anti-social behaviour databases.

Councillor Len Wyse, the local authority's Executive Member for Environmental Services, said: "The amount of snow seen across the Borders during December and January seems to have had a detrimental effect on some dog owners' abilities to clean up after their dog.

"Instead of picking up their dog waste, it seems to have been just as easy to cover it with snow! The new Wardens service does deal with this issue, amongst many others."

To report dog fouling in your area call freephone: 0300 100 1800 or email: dogfouling@scotborders.gov.uk