 Owners will be fined on the spot |
Dog owners who fail to pick up their pets' mess are warned that they face on-the-spot fines after a new law came effect. There will be a �40 penalty for dog fouling in Scotland, rising to �60 if the fine is not paid within a month.
The Scottish Executive is planning an advertising campaign to promote the new law.
Environmental health officers said they will need the public's help if the law is to fulfil its potential to create "cleaner, safer streets and parks".
The Dog Fouling (Scotland) Bill, which was supported by the executive, was brought forward by former Tory backbencher Keith Harding.
It gives local authorities and the police the power to hand out fixed penalties.
Refuse to pay
Some councils said that they will need more money to make the legislation work.
Concerns have also been expressed that the courts system could become clogged up if many owners challenge the penalty.
People face prosecution and a fine of up to �500 if they refuse to pay the fine.
Councillor Jim McCabe of South Lanarkshire Council said: "Every solution creates a problem, and the problem will be enforcement. "We will work with the police on it and hopefully we will come to some kind of system whereby we can deal with it, but it will take time."
Public Services Minister Andy Kerr said the law sent a clear message to "irresponsible" dog owners.
"It is unacceptable to let your dog foul in a public place and not clean up after it," he said.
"Communities across Scotland have the right to enjoy their local environment free from the nuisance and health risks often caused by dog fouling.
 Councils will be given new powers |
"That is why we have supported this act from the outset to ensure that local authorities and the police have the power to spare local communities from the nuisance that can result from dog fouling." The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (Rehis said the new law will be vigorously enforced.
"Dog fouling is a public nuisance and one of the biggest causes of complaints to Scotland's environmental health departments," said John Sleith, of the Rehis council.
"Owners who allow their pets to leave a mess in public places are indulging in anti-social behaviour.
"The new legislation has the potential to provide Scotland with cleaner, safer streets and parks, but we will need co-operation from the public."
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Owners who allow their pets to leave a mess in public places are indulging in anti-social behaviour 
