Residents in Powys are being urged to report any incidents of dog fouling or particular problems in their area to the county council.

Powys County Council want residents to email or telephone any dog fouling related problems so that a healthy and safe environment can be provided for residents, children and holidaymakers.

The council is also reminding dog owners in the county that they must clean up after their dog has fouled and properly dispose of the waste.

By reporting any incidents, the council can then arrange for the mess to clean up, investigate the incident or take enforcement action against the dog owner. Requests for ‘No Fouling’ signs and a combined litter/dog waste bin can also be made to the council.

It is an offence to allow a dog in your control, even if you’re walking someone else’s dog, to foul in a public place and to fail to clean it up immediately after it has fouled. Public places include footpaths, playing fields, parks, car parks, churchyards and cemeteries. If you fail to clean up then you could be issued with a £75 fixed penalty notice of face prosecution.

Cllr James Evans, cabinet member for environmental health, said: “We live in a beautiful county and we want to keep it that way but dog fouling impacts on the way communities look and we’re determined to tackle the issue in Powys.

“The majority of dog owners are responsible but there is a minority who let their communities down by allowing their dogs to foul in public. By asking residents to report any dog fouling related problems, they can help us tackle this issue in their community.

“If you are out walking your dog, always carry a plastic bag to pick up the mess as soon as your dog has fouled and please it in the nearest dog waste or litter bin or dispose of it at home.”

If you would like to report a dog fouling incident or advise us of a particular problem in your area then email tls.helpdesk@powys.gov.uk or telephone 0845 602 7035 or 01597 827465.