TWO councils have joined forces to declare war on irresponsible dog owners.

Ferryhill Town Council and Sedgefield Borough Council are determined to ensure that all culprits are fined.

A spokesman for the town council said: "This habit of not cleaning up after their pets is not only disgusting for all the public who have to walk through it, but it is dangerous, as it can cause blindness in children up to six months later."

Sedgefield Borough Council has already been successful in fining a number of dog owners £50 for failing to clean up after their pets.

Anyone with information about dog fouling can call Ferryhill Town Council on (01740) 652157, or Sedgefield Borough Council's enforcement officer on (01388) 816166.