MUCKY pups are about to meet their match in a council crackdown on dog fouling.

Conspicuous sign-posting, special dog waste bins and free poop scoops are all part of Blackburn with Darwen Council's campaign.

New legislation also means the council can issue fixed penalty fines to offending owners without creating new bye-laws.

They also have the power to designate areas where dog owners must pick up their pet's waste.

Present laws are difficult to enforce because grassed areas are not included in the rules and any fouling must be witnessed by the council's authorised officer, making it difficult to prove 'culpable neglect' by an owner.

The council has already come down heavily of careless dog owners. Fourteen appeared before local magistrates between April and the end of May this year, netting the council £1,200 in costs.

Councillor Mike Barrett, environmental services sub-committee chairman, said: "We are considering the implications of adopting the new legislation.

"Meanwhile the public should be reassured by the enforcement action taken by the authority and we shall continue to make every effort to prosecute offenders where appropriate."

He added: "Dog owners should be aware they are responsible for their pets and the council, through the new legislation, will not hesitate to take action against people who behave unreasonably and fail to control dogs."

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