A RURAL authority is to look into whether district councillors can fine dog owners who let their pets foul public spaces.

Teesdale District Council's community services committee questioned whether local members could issue fixed penalties to offenders.

Parish councils in Teesdale have been lobbying the district council to provide dog waste bins.

At a recent meeting of the Teesdale District Parish Forum, council representatives agreed to look into whether parishes could jointly pay a dog warden.

At yesterday's community service meeting, council leader Ken Robinson asked if anything could be done.

Currently, the district council employs a part-time dog warden. Under new laws, parish councillors can issue fines, but the council chairman, Councillor Madeleine Walton, wondered whether this could apply to district councillors.

Environmental health officer Gary Hutchinson said he would check the situation with authority's solicitor.