DOG owners are being warned that tough new rules are set to come in around the Redcar and Cleveland area.

New powers have been initiated by the borough council that could see errant owners fined £100 for failing to pick up after their pet or allowing dogs into fenced-off children’s playgrounds.

The new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) offences were approved by cabinet members following a highly successful consultation exercise where an overwhelming number of people called on the council to continue to make it an offence to not clean up after their dog.

And members called on wardens to be sent to problem areas to carry out a ‘blitz’ on offenders.

Cllr Alec Brown, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “One of the most common complaints the council receives is about mindless individuals refusing to pick up after their dog.

“These rules, which proved popular with residents since they were first proposed, makes it clear that the council will not tolerate the small minority that ruins the borough for both residents and visitors.”

Independent east Cleveland councillor Steve Kay said now the rules were in place it was essential that they were implemented.

“We have to be able to enforce this,” he said. “Last year we had two fixed penalty notices issued but the other year when we blitzed Saltburn, we caught five people in a week. It’s okay passing these laws but we have to have the resources to enforce them.

“I don’t think that we do have the resources to enforce them at the moment. We have this problem right across the borough - there’s no area that’s immune to it - so how are we going to enforce it?”

Cllr Brown said: “To do nothing was not an option: we need to identify hot spots and use residents’ intelligence to target those areas.”

Cllr Christopher Massey, cabinet member for corporate resources, said it is important to warn dog owners about the financial consequences of failing to clean up their pet’s mess.

He said: “If we get our message right and get our teams out blitzing the area - we will have a clean borough.”

Council leader, Cllr Sue Jeffrey, said there are already a number of rules the council enforces but this is about improving the area.

She added: “It’s not about slapping fixed penalties on our residents, it’s about changing people’s attitudes.”

For more information on the PSPO and to report dog fouling in your area, visit: www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/dogfouling or call 01642-774774.