“LET’S name and shame people who let their dogs foul our streets.”

That was the message from a Rishton councillor who has been bombarded by complaints about selfish pet owners.

Parks boss Ken Moss, who lives in Bridge Street in the town, said: “It’s reached the point where naming and shaming is probably the next stage in trying to stop it.”

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Cllr Moss said he is being sent pictures on a regular basis by ‘pooper snoopers’ keen to claim £50 rewards for helping to catch those responsible, and said he has even been abused himself after challenging them.

He said: “One man said it was the job of the council to clear it up as that is what they pay their council tax for.”

And one resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “There are people on Eachill Road who have had their dogs running wild up and down the street, letting them foul on the grass in front of old folks’ bit at the end.

“When you ask them to clear it up they just respond with abuse.

“Dogs are scaring the old ladies sat on the bench outside and it’s not fair or safe for the elderly.”

Earlier this month, the council reminded its legion of ‘doggy detectives’ of the potential money-earner sitting right on their lawn.

Last year, Hyndburn Council became the first in the North West to launch a radical ‘pooper snooper’ scheme, where residents paid for helping catch those who let their dogs foul in public and fail to pick it up.

Amateur sleuths were asked to take pictures of the guilty parties, before getting their address and reporting them.

The move came after the number of fixed penalty notices issued to pet owners in the borough fell from 39 in 2006 to eight last year, despite 269 resident complaints.

And in October, the first £50 was handed out to a resident who helped bring about a successful fine against an inconsiderate dog owner.

And earlier this year, the borough’s bin wagons were fitted with banners asking, ‘poo dunnit?’ and promoting the scheme.

Environmental boss at Hyndburn Council, Cllr Paul Cox, said: “We need local people to help us in the fight against dog fouling.”