DOG owners who do not clear up after their pets are being targeted in a new campaign to crack down on dog fouling offences.Waveney District Council will work with Lowestoft police to tackle the issue and pet owners who do not bag up and bin dog mess could face a �1,000 fine if taken to court.

DOG owners who do not clear up after their pets are being targeted in a new campaign to crack down on dog fouling offences.

Waveney District Council will work with Lowestoft police to tackle the issue and pet owners who do not bag up and bin dog mess could face a �1,000 fine if taken to court.

A council spokesman said that last year, there were four times as many complaints about dog fouling as there were in 2005, while the latest figures for 2009 show a 33pc increase on 2008.

Patrols will now be taking place in the Lowestoft North and Central Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) areas.

Council and SNT officers will operate a 'zero tolerance policy', with offenders being issued with an �80 fixed penalty fine when caught in the act.

Sgt Andy Green said: 'We want people to understand that it is an offence to not clean up after your dog has fouled in a public place and it will not be tolerated.

'Dog fouling is unsightly, smells and carries harmful infections which can lead to some painful and serious symptoms, especially for young children. Ignorance or forgetfulness is not an excuse.'

If you know the name of someone who has committed a dog fouling offence, call the council in confidence on 01502 562111 or email customer.services@waveney.gov.uk.