DOG fouling fines in Burnley could rise to £100.

In July 2019, Burnley Council’s executive, as part of its cleaner and greener agenda, established a cross-party working group of to look at how the council could strengthen its approach to promote socially responsible dog ownership and reduce dog fouling across the borough.

Feedback from residents indicated that concerns about dog fouling remain high.

The current fixed penalty charge for dog fouling is set by the council at £75.

The council has retained the penalty charge of £75 at this level since its introduction.

Following consideration of this, members of the working group recommend that from 2020 the charge for dog fouling that is set by the council is increased to the national maximum.

The maximum charge is set by DEFRA and is currently £100.

Local benchmarking demonstrates that councils that enforce on dog fouling, currently impose the maximum fine of £100.

Head of streetscene, Joanne Swift, said: "The Council currently takes a robust approach and is successful in tackling dog fouling.

"Members of the working group recognised the positive action that the council has already previously taken to address this key resident concern.

"They also recognised that the implementation of the proposed recommendation would continue to strengthen the council’s targeted approach to tackling dog fouling across the borough, working in partnership with our residents.

"Should the proposed recommendations be approved by the executive, officers will develop an action plan for delivery to commence from January 2020, for implementation and delivery during 2020/21."

Figures show that 249 fines were handed out for dog fouling in 2017/18, falling to 66 in 2018/19.

So far in 2019/20, 24 fines for dog fouling have been handed out across the borough.

No council anywhere else in East Lancashire has handed out more dog fouling fines over each of the last three years.