In response to public concern about irresponsible dog owners local Police Community Support Officers are now able to issue fixed penalty tickets for owners who fail to clean up after their dog fouls in public places.

The three police neighbourhood teams of Bude, Laun­ceston and Camel­ford are now working with officers from Cornwall Council's Public Health and Protection Unit to clamp down on irresponsible dog owners.

From this week, local PCSOs will be able to issue tickets to irresponsible dog owners and also to individuals who drop litter in public places.

The fixed penalty is for £50 if paid within ten days, outside this time rises to £80. If convicted at court, legislation allows the fine in the case of dog fouling to increase up to £1,000 and for litter to increase up to £2,500.

PHONE IN

Cornwall Council has also provided a contact number where members of the public can phone in and advise of the worst areas affected and which dog owners are responsible.

Sgt Lynden Hughes of the Bude Neighbourhood Team said: "This is a clear quality of life issue for our communities, it is regularly brought up at our PACT and parish council meetings and it has also been discussed recently on the Bude Neighbourhood Policing Team facebook forum.

"The issue has also been taken up by the new local Community Network Forums as an issue for local progression. The vast majority of dog walkers are responsible, taking bags with them to pick up their dogs mess, unfortunately there are a small number who have no consideration for anybody else or the local environment."

He added: "I am confident that publication in the local press when these tickets have been issued will get the message across to those individuals."

Cllr Phil Tucker of Cornwall Council said: "Dog fouling and littering are two issues that spoil the environment and detract from the open spaces which we are lucky enough to have in Cornwall.

"Irresponsible dog owners and litterers should be aware that there are now more eyes on the ground that are able to issue fixed penalties and take action against them. It is the small minority that are not being responsible and enforcement action will be taken against these people in order to improve the area in which we live.

WITNESSES

Cllr Tucker added: "Members of the public who witness littering or people not picking up after their dog has fouled should call 0300 1234212 to report such offences and action will be taken as a result of such information.

"All that is required is details of the offence as well as a method of identifying the offender such as a car registration number, name, address which will allow us to target this minority and keep our public spaces free from litter and dog fouling."