Warley, Brighouse and Todmorden targeted for dog fines

It follows increased patrols in problem areas including Warley, Whinney Hill, in Brighouse, and along the canal towpath in Todmorden.

During the whole of last year, only nine Fixed Penalty Notices and £50 fines were issued.

The figures have emerged as Calderdale Council prepares to respond to consultation on new draft Dog Control Orders. Five Orders are proposed to prevent dog fouling and access by dogs to certain areas.

The cabinet will decide on Monday whether to increase fines for dog fouling to £80, reduced to £50 for early payment.

Since the draft orders were published in September 2011, there have been nearly 900 formal responses - about two thirds from owners.

The plan is to ban dogs from fenced children’s play areas and they would need to be on a lead in areas such as cemeteries and allotments. Following consultation, the number of sports pitches from which dogs would be banned has been reduced, reflecting the lack of flat land for exercising pets in some parts of Calderdale.

Dogs would not have to be on a lead on the canal towpath, but Officers could direct dogs causing a nuisance to be put on a lead in open areas.

Environment spokesman Coun Barry Collins, said: “Amendments have been made to the original Orders to strike a careful balance between protecting public health and allowing people to enjoy and exercise their pets.”

Head of housing, Mark Thompson, said: “Persistent offenders can expect to be caught and fined.”