HYNDBURN Council has employed a new dog warden, Jane Grady, as it steps up its war on canine fouling.

She is the latest addition to the council’s beefed up environmental enforcement pest control team, now patrolling the borough in brand new dedicated vans.

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Along with the other four enforcement officers, Jane will deal with a range of issues from the perennial problem of dog fouling to dealing with stray and dangerous animals.

The team has been equipped with five new vans, fitted with dog cages to enable collection of stray dogs and storage for all manner of graspers, nets and protective clothing.

Council environment boss, Cllr Paul Cox said: “We took the dog warden service back in-house from a private company in Liverpool in 2011 because we felt it was so important to borough residents, bringing in the dog warden Gordon Farmer.

“He moved on earlier this year and so we have employed Jane Grady from Burnley Council which has one of the best records for tackling dog fouling and issuing fixed penalty notices in the country.

“She is highly-qualified and experienced to take the lead in tackling dog fouling, stray dogs and, with the police, dangerous dogs.

“We have bought fully-equipped brand new vans at a cost of several thousands pounds equipped for dealing with dogs for our beefed up environmental enforcement and pest control team.

“They are all trained for the work and the team has private contracts which makes it virtually self-financing.

“The majority of dog owners do clean up after their dogs, but it’s just the irresponsible few who refuse to pick up after their dog that spoil things for everyone else.

“Dog fouling is one of the biggest issues for residents.”

Borough leisure boss Ken Moss commented: “Problem areas identified by members of the public will be investigated by the dog warden for fouling, and this includes parks and open spaces, and the council’s three cemeteries for dogs off leads.

“People can also report dog fouling via the ‘Poo dunnit’ campaign, through the council’s website.”