Contact with dog dirt can lead to blindness

As the problem of dog waste increases at visitor attractions in and around East Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire Council is issuing an ultimatum to offenders - pick up after your pet or face the consequences.

Owners could be issued with a fixed penalty fine of �50 or, if they refuse to pay, a court appearance and a fine of up to �1,000.

Malcolm Mathias, strategic development manager, said: "The council is concerned about dog fouling and the potential for faeces to become a source of infection, particularly for children.

Poop scoops

"The problem is caused by irresponsible dog owners and we are tackling this by a combination of education and enforcement."

He said they were appealing to dog owners to use the many litterbins around parks and visitor attractions such as Sewerby Gardens, using a plastic bag or poop scoop.

Contact with dog dirt can lead to blindness through an infection known as toxocariasis.

By law, dog walkers must clear up after their pets in public places and in the last year the council has issued 1.4 million poop scoops free of charge to encourage dog owners to do so.

Mr Mathias added: "We will continue to investigate alleged incidents of dog fouling and to take the most appropriate course of action in each case."