DOG walkers in the Ribble Valley who do not carry a dog bag could be faced with a fine.

Owners say they felt ‘embarrassed’ by Ribble Valley Council’s decision to allow dog wardens to ‘stop and search’ people for dog bags.

Council bosses reached the decision after a heated debate at the council’s health and housing meeting on Thursday.

More than 2,500 people had signed a petition against the proposed dog orders and four people from the group said there was no way this could be enforced.

It was given the go ahead despite ‘reservations’ expressed by the council’s leader, Cllr Ken Hind.

Cllr Ken Hind said: “The point is we want all dog walkers to carry a dog bag.

“I appreciate there will be an enforcement issue with this which makes this a calculated risk.

“Despite reservations I will support this.”

Cllr Richard Sherras said: “I do not see how this can work. What will someone do if the dog warden asks if you have a dog bag with you.

“How can you enforce this?

“I think it’s completely unworkable and will bring the law into complete disrepute.”

Dog owners in attendance were left ‘shocked’ by the decision which they felt punished responsible dog owners.

Resident Gill Sherratt, who has owned a dog for 18 years, said: “I’m embarrassed about what I heard in the chamber tonight.

“They have made it a criminal offence to not carry dog bags.

“There could be an instance where I have three dog bags on my person and hand them all out to people who don’t have dog bags.

“If a dog warden searches me after and sees I have no bag, I could face a fine.

“This is punishing responsible dog owners who are trying to help others.”

Clitheroe resident Katie Owen, who has lived in Low Moor for 21 years, said: “They have put responsible dog wardens in a position where we could commit a criminal offence by not having a dog bag.

“It’s not right in my opinion,”

Penny Pitt, who organised the Let Leia Run petition against council proposals to insist dogs are kept on a lease in public spaces, said: “I may not agree with the decision but we should be grateful that the council have made a public consultation.

“Some councils will do this without any consultation and we have to give credit that the council has given us the time to listen when some do not.”