Irresponsible dog owners could soon find themselves out of pocket, thanks to a new campaign by Cheshire East Council.
The authority's Community Wardens are to go undercover in the parks and streets of Cheshire East looking for dog owners who do not clean up their pet's mess.
Those caught by a warden will receive a fixed penalty notice of £50. Failure to pay the fine can result in the owner being prosecuted and receiving a fine of up to £1000.
The plain clothes officers, who will carry Cheshire East Council identification cards, will ensure the waste is removed and put in a litter bin or dog-waste bin.
A number of hotspots have been chosen, across Cheshire East, where dog fouling has become a particular problem.
Tony Potts, Cheshire East Council's Community Safety Manager, said: "No one likes to see dog waste in the street or in their local park – not only is it unattractive but poses a severe health risk, particularly to young children.
"There is no excuse for the minority of dog owners who consistently fail to clear up their pet's mess. We will continue to fine those who ignore the warnings until the message gets through. We will not allow dog fouling to spoil people's enjoyment of their local environment."
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