Angus councillors have criticised irresponsible owners for the increase in dog mess in the county.
The latest council figures show that almost 3,000 dog faeces not put in bins were picked up by council staff in Arbroath alone in a six month period.
Across Angus there has been a 74% year on year increase in amount of fixed penalty notices issued and dog fouling “detections”, the figures for which include people reported to the procurator fiscal and people aged under 16.
The amount of faeces needing cleaned up has increased by 11% and the number of complaints in the county increased by 20% compared to the previous year.
In April the fine for dog owners who fail to pick up after their pets was increased from £40 to £80 to bring it in line with the fine for littering.
Arbroath East and Lunan councillor Donald Morrison said people had “no excuse” for not picking up after their pet.
He said: “The increase in complaints show that the public are sick of irresponsible dog owners not picking up after their pet. I would urge anyone who sees someone not picking up after their pet to report it to the ACCESSline.
“With fixed penalty notices doubled anyone caught can be dealt with and with fines increasing to £80 it will hit them in the pocket too.
“Council staff are also having to pick up more bags which have been dumped in the street, which is disappointing.
“The council might not own a dog but they provide plenty of dog and litter bins for people to put their pet’s foul in them, so there is no excuse for not picking up after their pet.”
In Arbroath there were 79 complaints about dog mess in the six months to May 31 compared with 44 during the same period last year.
There were 19 fixed penalty notices issued in Arbroath between December and May.
Arbroath councillor David Fairweather said: “We have a terrific employee who picks up the dog poo. What a job she has because we have so many irresponsible people in Angus who still let their dogs foul.
“We’ve got so many new bins in areas like the West Links – it’s pure laziness not to put it in the bins.
“If you have a dog, then you are responsible for that dog and you should be picking up its mess. That to me is the end of the story.”
Arbroath and District Community Council has also expressed concern about the amount of dog fouling in the town.
A spokesman said: “Given the number of groups who are working together to improve their town, are appealing to dog owners to be responsible and respect their town and environment. Bag it and bin it.”
