ROSSENDALE Council has launched a new crackdown on dog fouling.

Owners who don’t clear up after their pets will be issued with an on-the-spot £75 fine, after officers noticed a spike in complaints during the winter months.

There will also be increased enforcement patrols in the Valley.

Council leader, Coun Alyson Barnes, said: “Dog fouling complaints are regularly at the top of the list of concerns of residents that I speak to, so by working together to identify people, places and times that the offences are occurring, we can target problem areas more effectively.

“The message is clear – we are looking out for the health of the public by catching, and fining, those that don’t clean up after their dogs.”

A council spokesman said: “The extra dog fouling patrols will be in targeted areas, and we are asking that members of the public contact us if there is a problem with dog fouling where they live.”