PARKING enforcement officers could be given powers to hand out tickets for dog fouling in the East Riding – after dog wardens issued just two in a year.
More than 15,000 parking tickets were handed out in 12 months by the new parking wardens and it is claimed they could be just as zealous if given the power to dish out penalty notices for dog fouling.
East Riding Council was inundated with more than 500 complaints about dog fouling last year and councillors say that is "just the tip of the iceberg".
Now, the council has agreed to refer the proposal to its scrutiny committee to see if it can be put into action.
Councillor Mally Boatman told a meeting of the council: "There's barely a street we could walk down in the East Riding without finding evidence of irresponsible dog ownership.
"But, over the last year, three dog wardens have issued two fixed penalty notices for dog fouling – that's not even one each for the full year."
In contrast, parking wardens have issued almost 300 tickets a week to motorists – a huge rise since they took over from the police.
Cllr Boatman said: "The civil parking enforcement officers seem a keen lot.
"They issued just under 5,000 parking tickets in their first four-and-a-half months. That demonstrates for me they are well up for the task of chasing these people down and giving them the notice.
"I'm not saying it will be easy and they will have to undertake further training but if we, as a council, are serious about responding to this issue of dog fouling, I feel there's no other way to deal with this.
"The current way of dealing with it is obviously a total failure."
Cllr Boatman insisted more £75 fixed penalty tickets must be issued for dog fouling.
He said: "The only way people understand it is when it costs them in the pocket.
"It will send out a strong message to the minority. The majority are responsible, this is targeted at the irresponsible minority.
"I feel, with a bit of training, our enforcement officers would be able to go out there and increase on the two penalty notices in the last 12 months."
Bridlington South Councillor Shelagh Finlay backed the call. She said: "We have ten civil enforcement officers in Bridlington who could utilise their time looking out for and fining dog owners who do not clear up their pet's mess.
"As the major tourist destination in the East Riding, it is vital visitors are able to walk our streets and window shopping without fear of stepping in dog faeces."
The issue will now go to a scrutiny committee for consideration.
A council spokesman said: "To many people, allowing parking enforcement officers to impose fines on those caught dog fouling may seem an easy solution but there are several issues which need to be investigated.
"These include whether the existing law allows civil parking enforcement officers to enforce action which comes under separate legislation. Clearly, the best solution is for all dog walkers to clean up after their pets."
Owners who fail to clean up dog mess can be reported on 01482 396301.
