INCREDULOUS councillors are fed up with dog owners who go to the trouble of bagging up their dogs' mess – but then throw it in the woods at a beauty spot.

There have been several reports of the bizarre practice in Huncoat as well as the usual littering and laziness of not picking up dog dirt.

Huncoat ward councillors Dave Parkins and Eamonn Higgins have liaised with the Hyndburn dog warden to tackle the problem at Spout House Community Woodlands in Huncoat.

Cllr Parkins said; “We’ve had reports that a few irresponsible dog owners aren’t picking up after their dog or picking up and then discarding the bag on the ground or in the trees.

“Lots of people walk here and it’s the few thoughtless people spoiling the area for the rest.”

Two extra dog waste bins have been installed in the middle entrance to the woodlands.

The council’s dog warden and litter enforcement officers will carry out spot patrols and CCTV may also be installed to deter people from failing to pick up after their dog or fly tipping in the area. Cllr Higgins added: “The message is clear, if you don’t clean up after your dog, or drop litter in the area, you are responsible for your own actions and you could be landed with a big fine.”

Tough new enforcement measures were put in place across Hyndburn from October 1, with the borough council teaming up with Kingdom Services, which also handles enforcement action in Blackburn with Darwen.

Kingdom's patrol teams have the authority to issue on-the-spot fines to anyone they catch failing to clean up after their dog, or dropping litter, cigarette stubs and chewing gum on the floor – often incurring the wrath of the person caught.

Speaking when the partnership was launched, council leader Cllr Miles Parkinson said: “Our law-abiding residents are fed up with the selfish few irresponsible dog owners and litter louts.”