Red card for dog owners over fouling

IRRESPONSIBLE owners are being blamed for the worst spate of dog fouling across North Yorkshire's streets and parks for years.

By The Newsroom

Published 10th Feb 2010, 10:34 BST

Updated 10th Feb 2010, 10:34 BST

Hambleton District Council says complaints of dog fouling have rocketed and currently make up 33 per cent of all requests for street cleaning made by residents. The problem is particularly severe in Crakehall, Bedale, Northallerton, Great Ayton and Thirsk – with one road in Bedale needing to be cleaned of 26 deposits in one day.

John Proud, Hambleton's street scene manager, said: "We are getting absolutely inundated with requests.

"I think it is so bad because of the snow, it is a hidden evil and people just brush it over the mess."

Hambleton council is now operating a red card policy where anyone caught not cleaning up after the pet will be issued with an instant 50 fine which raises to 1,000 if the case goes to court.