A CLAMPDOWN on dog fouling is set to take place in the Ribble Valley with wardens handing out fines of £100.

Five dog-fouling action zones have been set up to target people who do no pick up after their pets.

Dog wardens will be out and about in Clitheroe, Chatburn, Sabden, Mellor and Longridge in a bid to catch the culprits who are blighting the borough with dog dirt.

Anyone caught failing to pick up after their pets will be issued a £100 fixed penalty notice. which could to rise to £1,000 with prosecution fees and for persistent offenders.

Ribble Valley Council receives on average more than 200 complaints about dog fouling each year and spends £30,000 disposing of it.

Council leader Cllr Ken Hind said: “It’s extremely obnoxious of dog owners who do not pick up after their pets.

“You see plenty of responsible dog owners walking round with black bags all the time.

“There’s no excuse for it, it’s just anti-social behaviour and something needs to be done about it.”

Chair of Sabden Parish Council, Antony Haworth, one of the area’s looking to tackle the problem, said it is an extremely important issue.

He said: “It’s one of the biggest civil complaints in the country.

“It’s a real problem to try and keep on top of it all.”

The council is committed to taking action and has introduced a raft of measures to help tackle the problem, from on-the-spot fines to warning signs, night patrols to school visits.

Heather Coar, head of environmental health at the council, said: “Dog-fouling is the subject of constant complaints from the borough’s residents and we are committed to taking action.

“We have been working with local primary schools to encourage positive pet ownership, but residents who persistently fail to clean up after their pets can expect to feel the full force of the law.”

To report dog-fouling, contact Ribble Valley Council in confidence on 01200 425111.