SIGNS are going up to remind people of Cheshire East Council’s new beefed-up powers to crack down on dog fouling and dog control.

These new powers follow an overwhelming public support for tougher controls put forward by the council during its recent borough-wide consultation to help keep our parks, nature reserves and open spaces pleasant for all.

Fiona Reynolds, Cheshire East’s director of public health, said: “We want everyone to enjoy the Cheshire East countryside and make the most of our beautiful parks, nature reserves and open spaces this spring.

“To ensure areas are safe and clean for everyone to use, we have to be strict about asking dog owners to keep their dogs under control and to pick up after their dog. Failing to do this could see dog owners fined between £100 and £1000.

“Most people are very responsible when walking their dogs and are happy to keep to these simple rules and we thank them for helping us to maintain pleasant green spaces for all to enjoy.”

A national survey found 95 per cent of Britons are worried about the amount of dog fouling, according to Cheshire East Council.

In response to the issue, new signs are being installed across parks, nature reserves and open spaces to remind everyone of the new rules about picking up after their dog or keeping them under control.

The main features of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) allow the council to tackle those that fail to pick up after their dog in all public places within the Cheshire East borough, allow officers to tell a dog owner/walker to put (and keep) their dog on a lead and issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £100.

PSPO’s are intended to deal with a problem in an area that is detrimental to the local qualify of life.

Introducing the PSPO last November has allowed the council to replace and extend the existing dog controls and byelaws.

The authority also has a duty to act against irresponsible individuals who fail to clear up after their dogs on land which is open to the public. Not only is dog mess highly unpleasant, it is also a hazard to health – particularly to young children.

Roundworm eggs found in dog mess can easily be picked up by children, causing potential stomach upsets, sore throats, asthma and, in some cases, blindness.

For more information or to report issues relating to environmental crime, visit: cheshireeast.gov.uk/environment or ring the council on 0300 123 5011.