A ZERO tolerance dog- fouling day has been declared across the Ribble Valley.

On July 25, dog enforcement officers from the borough council and the police will be out and about nabbing irresponsible residents who let their pets foul in public.

The ‘poop swoop’, which will see culprits receive a £50 fixed penalty notice, is part of the council’s new ‘Pick Up or Pay Up’ campaign.

New orders requiring the borough’s dog owners to clean up after their pets and keep them under control in public come into force on August 1.

The orders will see pet owners face fines of up to £1,000 in a magistrates’ court or fixed penalty notices of £80 for anti-social pet behaviour.

Five orders have been approved by the council’s community services committee following the ongoing problem of dog mess in public places, particularly on playing fields.

The orders require pet owners to remove dog faeces from public land, including footpaths and fields, keep their dogs on leads when instructed to do so by a dog enforcement officer and prohibit dogs from sports pitches, playing fields and children’s playgrounds.

Dogs must also be kept on a lead in Clitheroe Cemetery and no more than four can be walked in public at any one time.

Ribble Valley Council’s head of environmental health, James Russell, said: “Complaints about dog issues are the second highest received by the council each year and residents are demanding action on the issue.

“Ignorance of the law is not an excuse and the message is simple: The days of allowing dogs to foul in public are over, so pick up or pay up.

“Our officers will be out and about with the police on July 25 making sure the message is understood loud and clear.”