A councillor has said he hopes new policies aimed at dog owners who let their pets foul public places will force a change in their behaviour.
David May, who represents Montrose, was speaking after Angus Council’s neighbourhood services committee approved measures, including giving more council staff the power to issue fixed penalties.
Talks with the procurator fiscal are also planned to see if greater use can be made of prosecutions.
Mr May said: “I fully support the report as many constituents have contacted me directly about dog fouling and I have passed on information, on a confidential basis, to the council’s community wardens who have taken action.”
He continued: “It must be said that the vast majority of dog owners are responsible and clean up after their dogs.
“However, the irresponsible dog owners have still not got the message and I back the extension of the issuing of fixed penalty notices so that others are now directly involved in issuing them.”
Park staff, countryside rangers and environmental and housing officers will all be able to issue tickets. Council tenants who persistently allow their dogs to foul public places could even be threatened with eviction.
Mr May said: “I hope that irresponsible dog owners get the message that more will be done as far as enforcement is concerned and the issuing of fixed penalty notices and other sanctions to get them to change their behaviour.
“The more we can publicise this message about enforcement and the health aspects of this the better, so that our environment including our streets, play areas and sports areas are clean both for our residents and our visitors.”
He added that the location of dog bins and appropriate signs, and the need to publicise that all bins can be used to dispose of dog waste, can play a role in tackling the problem.