IRRESPONSIBLE dog owners have fallen foul of new laws aimed at cleaning up the streets of Blackburn and Darwen.

The first prosecution made under the Dogs (Fouling the Land) Order 1998 resulted in a Blackburn women being fined £100 with £220 costs.

And environmental health officers have welcomed the penalty as a realistic deterrent.

"This is the kind of penalty we were looking for and hopefully people will realise that not cleaning up after their dogs can be a very expensive offence," said a spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen environmental health unit.

"Dog fouling in public places is anti-social and a health risk, especially to children. By introducing and enforcing this Order we are looking to promote responsible pet ownership." Dog wardens in the borough carried out a major publicity campaign prior to taking the first direct action.

The first person prosecuted was Catherine Heard, of Hollin Bridge Street, Blackburn. The case was proved in her absence and she was given 28 days to pay the fine and costs.

Alan Fairhurst, prosecuting for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said the offence was not the fouling by the dog but the failure of the owner to clean up immediately after.

Also prosecuted were Michael Livesey, of Blackburn Road, Darwen, and Susan Seckington, of Kay Street, Darwen. Both pleaded guilty by letter and were each fined £50 with £220 costs, the magistrates giving them credit for pleading guilty at the first opportunity.

The order under which the prosecutions were made came into force on March 5. It mentions all parks and open spaces in the borough, including sports fields and school playing fields and any open space including grass verges to which people have access.

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