Dudley Council is launching a scheme to tackle dog fouling in the borough’s parks and open spaces.

Bosses have launched an innovative stencilling scheme to spray warning messages about the consequences of allowing dogs to foul in public areas. It leaves a spray-painted warning on the pavement in key areas, which is not permanent and washes off over time.

The scheme will target parks and open spaces in a bid to encourage people to clean up after their pets. People face fines of up to £1,000 and prosecution through the courts.

Council bosses hope the latest scheme will encourage people to clean up after their dogs. Wall Heath and Kingswinford parks have been piloted first with more sites due to be added to the programme to target any hot spots. Councillor Hilary Bills, cabinet member for environmental services, said:

“I’m sure the vast majority of people clean up after their pets. People have a right to walk along the street and play in parks without fear of treading in disgusting mess left by dogs.

“We would rather people cleaned up after their dogs than us having to prosecute them. The stencils do not permanently mark the pavements so are environmentally friendly and hopefully will be a good reminder for people.”

There are now more ways than ever before to report dog fouling and other issues to the council. People can call Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345 or email staff on dudleycouncilplus@dudley.gov.uk The council’s smartphone app is also available or people can tweet @DudleyPlus or use the ‘report it’ section on the council’s website at www.dudley.gov.uk