Owners could be fined �75 on the spot

The new measures could see on-the-spot fines for people who do not clear up after their dogs trebled to �75.

The order to increase the fixed penalty notice for fouling was approved by the Welsh assembly's environment committee before Christmas.

The new laws could be brought in by the middle of the year.

VOTE RESULTS Do you think the fines for dog owners who do not clean up should be trebled? Yes 90% No 10% 759 Votes Cast Results are indicative and may not reflect public opinion Vote now closed

Currently, a fine of �25 can be served on the spot, or can be increased to as much as �1,000 if contested in court.

Contact with dog mess can lead to blindness through the infection toxocariasis.

The drive to clean up the streets would be particularly welcomed in Swansea, which was named Wales' worst spot for dog fouling in a recent survey.

To tackle the problem, the council has recruited dog wardens and, in the last 18 months, 100 dog owners have been fined, many with on-the-spot charges.

Warden Clive Jones said the drive was already starting to have an impact.

"When they see us, they are reacting a bit more now," he said.

"It is never going to be 100% - we are about 70% cleaner than what it has been."

Carl Watkins, who serves the fixed penalty notices, said they were working hard to catch offenders.

"What I would say to owners still out there who don't obey the law is that one day they will be caught and a hefty fine will be issued," he said.