Pet owners who do not clean up after their pets will face hefty on-the-spot fines from today as Kingston Council cracks down on dog fouling.

A pilot scheme introduced by Kingston Council already sees litterers handed £80 fines and now people spotted not clearing up after their dogs will face a penalty of up to £100.

Environmental enforcement officers will be patrolling streets, parks and housing estates in north Kingston, Kingston town centre and Surbiton

The council said in a statement the fines are being introduced to tackle the amount of dog poo in the borough, which combined with litter costs £2m a year to clear up. 

Both the dog fouling and littering fines can be reduced if paid within 10 days.

David Cunningham, lead member for environment and transport, said: “We know that most pet owners are responsible, however the few who knowingly let their dog foul without cleaning it up, ruin the day for those using the same pavement.

“The council spends £2 million a year to clean up litter and dog foul in Kingston, and it is hoped that these fines can bring about a reduction in this problem by encouraging residents and visitors to do the right thing.”

The pilot scheme runs until December. If successful, it will be rolled out to other areas of the borough in 2016.

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