A NEW weapon is set to the added to the armoury against people who allow their dogs to foul in public places in Tenbury.

The issue has been a major worry in the town for many years but numerous attempts in the past to get on top of the problem have largely failed.

These have included the use of spy cameras, a campaign to get people to report fouling and a publicity drive by Tenbury Town Council.

It is now hoped that greater powers to fine will provide the deterrent that has been missing with dog-owners facing a fine of up to £1,000 if they fail to clean up after their pet.

Large areas of the town have been affected but the worst parts have been the open spaces such as The Burgage and Palmers Meadow.

There have been incidents of rugby games having to be stopped while mess is cleared away off the pitch.

Mark Willis, Mayor of Tenbury, who has been calling for action, says that he has been embarrassed on behalf of the town when this has happened.

But now it is hoped that support for greater powers for Malvern Hills District Council will help to stem the tide.

Proposals to give council officers more powers to deal with people who fail to control or clean up after their dogs have met with strong support from the public.

Malvern Hills District Council has recently completed a six-week consultation on plans to introduce a Public Space Protection Order for dog control, which would introduce three new offences.

They are failing to carry a poop bag or other means to clean up after a dog, failure to keep a dog on a lead in a designated area and failure to keep a dog out of fenced-off or enclosed children’s playgrounds.

Anyone committing one of the new offences would be given a fixed penalty notice of up to £100 and a £1,000 court fine if they fail to pay.

More than 550 people took part in the consultation, the majority of whom, some 63 per cent, were dog owners.

Of those who responded, 82 per cent backed making it illegal to not carry a poop bag or another means to clean up after a pet. There was also overwhelming support for making it an offence to keep a dog on a lead in certain places (82 per cent) and failing to stop dogs entering a fenced or enclosed children’s playground (88 per cent).

Most people felt it would be most appropriate for it to be a requirement for dogs to be kept on leads in parks, playgrounds, around schools and on pavements near roads.

A total of 50 per cent of people felt if people could not prove they were prepared to pick up after their dog then they should be given a fixed penalty notice, while 34 per cent felt they should be sent on an awareness course.

Some residents wanted to see the introduction of an offence for leaving bags full of dog poo on the branches of trees or pavements.

A report has now been prepared for councillors to consider at an executive committee meeting on Tuesday, April 25. The council has the option to introduce the new offences under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The powers are already being used successfully in some parts of the country but if approved, Malvern Hills District will be the first place in Worcestershire to introduce them.

If approved, the order would initially run for three years and then be reviewed.