A COUNCILLOR described a council’s record on dog fouling as ‘lamentable’ as he called for a firmer strategy on tackling the issue.

Ribble Valley councillor Ged Mirfin, who represents Billington, put forward a public motion about how to tackle dog fouling at the health and housing committee on Thursday.

Cllr Mirfin spoke at length about the ‘fundamental issues’ of dog fouling in his ward and called for more severe measures to deter ‘persistent’ offenders.

The councillor said he found 38 incidents of dog fouling in one day and within a quarter of a mile distance of each other in the village and near St Augustine’s Roman Catholic High School, on Elker Lane.

Residents have voiced their concerns directly to the councillor, who has received 28 calls from different residents in less than two weeks.

The high number of incidents has been described by the councillor as a ‘health hazard’ and called for prosecution against irresponsible dog owners.

Speaking to the health and housing committee, Cllr Mirfin said: “Fines are not a sufficient deterrent for animals fouling on public property.

“Our record on this issue as a council is lamentable and there have been only a small number of prosecutions.

“We are lower down the league table compared to other parts of Lancashire.

“There needs to be a strategy. If this continues we should introduce DAP - detention, apprehension and prosecution.”

The councillor also suggested to the committee that council tax should be used to address another ‘fundamental’ issue of a lack of dog wardens in the borough.

He added: “We could use some of the council tax to fund a dog warden, a dog warden van, new dog bins and a vehicle to clean up the dog waste.”

The committee agreed that dog fouling was still a pressing issue but suggested different ways in which to tackle it.

Cllr Richard Newmark, who represents Sabden, said: “We need body cameras to tackle this issue - as I requested previously.

“I hope that’s being carried on further by the council.”

Cllr Maureen Fenton, who represents Edisford and Low Moor and is Clitheroe town mayor, said: “I have been approached as ward councillor with regards to the issue of dog bins at the new Ribble Meadows estate

“There aren’t any dog bins for dog owners there.”