WORCESTER City Council is considering tougher powers to tackle dog fouling on pavements and in parks and open spaces – and is seeking views from local people on the new proposals.

The city council receives a number of complaints every year about dog fouling, with 211 received between March 2016 and October 2017.

Additionally, the popular PooWatch web app has received over 4,300 reports since it was launched in November 2015 - an average of 181 reports a month.

Dog faeces carry with it the danger of toxicara - which can cause illness and blindness. Young children are particularly at risk.

The proposals would see the introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order, requiring any person in charge of a dog to immediately remove dog faeces.

The council could also introduce a number of clearly marked ‘dog exclusion areas’ around the city – and is looking for views on if these would be welcome and if so, where.

Any person found by police, community support or designated council officers to be in breach of the proposed requirements would be guilty of a criminal offence under the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

They could receive a fixed penalty notice of up to £75 or if prosecuted via a magistrate’s court, could face a maximum payment of £1,000.

Coun Mike Johnson, chair of the city council’s communities committee, said: "We know that clean streets are one of the top priorities for residents and visitors to Worcester.

“Although the majority of dog owners are responsible, it is clear that a number still view clearing up after their dog as optional. Adopting the proposed measures would enable the council to take tougher action against offenders – and would also give police and other community officers new powers to issue on-the-spot fines.”

You can give your views by completing a short online survey at worcester.gov.uk/voiceit. The survey will close on March 5