Dog owners in Stoke-on-Trent are being warned they face being fined if they fail to clean up after their pets. The city council has launched a zero tolerance crackdown during which "irresponsible" dog owners are being hit with �50 fixed penalty fines.
In the first of a number of operations in the city last week, 12 dog owners were issued with a fine in one day.
A council spokesman said the campaign would continue until "all dog owners acted responsibly".
Health issue
In last week's operation more than 20 dog wardens were on the streets and in parks talking to owners, giving advice and penalising those not cleaning up.
Elected mayor Mike Wolfe said irresponsible dog owners would not be tolerated.
"It is an important health issue, not to mention the problems when children and adults walk the mess into their homes," he said.
Owners who refuse to pay the �50 fixed penalty will be taken to court, where they could face a fine of up to �1,000 for each offence.
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