DOG owners in Tenbury face having to keep their pets on leads and away from playing fields.

This could be the next step for Tenbury Town Council as it steps up its battle against dog fouling in the town.

Mark Willis, Mayor of Tenbury, told the town council that while there had been some improvement there was still a major problem and that more powerful steps may be needed to deal a knock-out blow.

The town council heard that there remained incidents of fouling on the rugby pitch in the town and in the vicinity of the children’s play area.

In the autumn, the council launched a campaign against dog fouling that included a clean-up operation and an attempt to raise awareness of the problem that is not only unpleasant but can pose health risks.

Mark Willis said that there were still incidents of people knowing who is responsible for allowing dogs to foul without cleaning up but deciding not to get involved.

“We need people to be prepared to stand up and be counted,” he said.

People who are caught allowing their dogs to foul with cleaning up can be fined but this is not good enough and there would be a regulation requiring people to keep their pets on a lead.

Catching culprits is a big issue and CCTV cameras can be utilised.

Earlier in the year, Tenbury Town Council took the decision to treat this issue as public enemy number one and people living in Tenbury are being called upon to play their part in cracking down on owners that do not clean up after their pets.

Residents are being urged to report people who they see allowing dogs to mess without cleaning it up and ‘naming and shaming’ is one of the weapons that might be used.

Tenbury Town Council is concerned about the impact on the amenities in the town and the potential health hazards.

The extent of the problem was highlighted in September when councillors and other volunteers spent a Saturday morning clearing up mess.

They collected four large bin bags of dog mess from the town.

Much of it was collected from Palmer's Meadow and the Burgage which are used by children and the town’s rugby club.

But just hours after the clean-up had been completed, a rugby game on Palmer’s Meadow had to be stopped when a player dived into a fresh deposit of dog dirt during the game.

The volunteers, including town councillors, members of the rugby club and public, spent three hours with plastic bags and poop scoops.

It had been hoped that the knowledge that offenders are being watched and could be fined, combined with pressure from responsible dog owners, would curb the problem that is affecting large areas of the town including footpaths and around the church and cemetery.

People who are caught allowing their dogs to foul and not clearing up can be fined £50 but the fine is increased to £75 if they put the mess in a bag but then leave it.

Residents that want to report dog fouling can call 01684 862151 or visit www.malvernhills.gov.cuk/report-it