DOG owners who do not clean up after their pet could face an on-the-spot fine if Pendle councillors get their way.

The environment, leisure and rural affairs review committee was asked to look into the issue of dog muck in the borough and how to reduce the number of complaints about it.

In a report to be discussed at the committee's next meeting, on Tuesday, August 23, it recommends that irresponsible pet owners who do not scoop their dog's poop should be issued with a fixed penalty notice fine.

They suggest following the model adopted by Burnley Council, which has seen a dramatic reduction in the number of complaints in dog fouling since it adopted in April 2001.

According to the report, Burnley Council issued 39 notices in the first year and 63 in the second. Approximately 90 per cent had been paid in full, although the income generatedis kept by central government.

In Burnley the notices can be given by members of the cleansing team, park rangers, community wardens and community police officers.

Some concerns were also raised that although there were five community wardens in Pendle, the posts were only funded until March 2004. It goes on that some resources would be transferred to police to act as support officers who could also issue the notices.

The committee recommended Pendle Council make the money available in next year's budget.