Enveco and Blackpool Council staff to issue £100 fines to dog walkers caught failing to clean up dog mess

Tougher action is to be taken against irresponsible dog owners as part of a campaign to tackle dog mess around Blackpool.

The council and its waste services company Enveco have teamed up to launch a new Bag It, Bin It campaign which began in October lasting three months, to raise awareness about the need to clean up after dogs.

Enveco and council staff will issue a fixed penalty notice of £100 to dog walkers who are witnessed failing to pick up their dog’s mess.

There are more than 1,000 litter bins across the town where dog waste can be deposited.

It is also an offence to not have the means to pick up and officers will be raising awareness through educating and formally warning dog walkers of their responsibility to carry poo bags.

Repeated warnings will result in a fixed penalty notice of £100 being issued. If the case goes to court this could cost the dog walker up to £1,000.

While rare, contact with dog excrement can cause toxocariasis – an infection that can lead to dizziness, nausea, asthma, and even blindness or seizures.

Bag It, Bin It street stencils will be used  to encourage dog walkers to clean up, and residents can request individual stencils to be sprayed outside their properties, which are temporary for up to around six months.

Responsible ownership will be encouraged by giving owners who do clean up after their pets chance chance to win prizes including a month’s supply of dog food

Coun Adrian Hoyle,  chair of the Enveco Board, said: "It's excellent to see Enveco and Blackpool Council working together to highlight a serious and offensive nuisance around the borough - whilst rewarding those responsible dog walkers who are doing the right thing."

Council leader Coun Lynn Williams added: "We regularly receive complaints about dog fouling around Blackpool, however, there’s only a small percentage of dog walkers who actually leave dog mess behind.

"I am delighted Enveco and Blackpool Council are working together to challenge those who are not doing the right thing whilst recognising responsible dog walkers."

To find out more about or to request a dog stencil go to: www.enveconw.co.uk/bag- it-bin-it

To report any dog fouling go to: Blackpool Council dog enforcement | Dog fouling