A BORDERS councillor has urged people to report dog owners who fail to clean up after their pets.

Harry Scott, an independent member for Galashiels, says he and his colleagues have received “many complaints” about dog fouling.

However, with the offence “difficult to deal with unless the culprits are caught red handed”, Mr Scott has told Borderers to report “irresponsible owners” to the police and the council.

“Like many of my colleagues on Scottish Borders Council, I have had many complaints regarding people who allow their dogs to foul footways, parks, and other public places, without cleaning up afterwards,” said Mr Scott.

“I have raised this with Police Scotland, locally, and at the Scottish Borders Council Police, Fire & Rescue, and Safer Communities Board.

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“The police are fully aware of the problem, and fixed penalty fines and warnings have been issued over this past year.”

The Galashiels councillor continued: “Dog fouling is difficult to deal with unless the culprits are caught red handed by the police, or someone reports a case to them.

“Much of the reluctance to report dog fouling is the fear of repercussions from the offender, or of perhaps having to experience the inconvenience of attending court as a witness.

“The police, however, cannot be everywhere, and unless members of the public are willing to do their bit to come forward and report offenders the majority will remain undetected.”

Mr Scott says that he has been told that police officers have been made “more aware of the concern expressed by our constituents”.

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“It is only by police, council, and public working together that this blight by a few irresponsible dog owners can be brought under any sort of control, and I would encourage anyone witnessing this disgusting offence to report it promptly to the police and council,” added Mr Scott.

A Scottish Borders Council spokesperson said: “Dog fouling is unpleasant and a health hazard. Most dog owners are responsible and clean up after their dogs, but some don't.

“It is our policy to deal with those that do not.”

When reporting dog fouling, you should tell the council: the location(s) and time of fouling; owner's name and address (if known); description of the dog (including breed and colour); and your own contact details (anonymous calls accepted).

You can report dog fouling anonymously online here, or call 0300 100 1800.