JUST two fines were issued for dog fouling in Worcester last year, new figures reveal.

Data obtained via Freedom of Information requests to every local authority in the UK shows there were two fines issued in 2021.

This is despite repeated concerns from residents about the issue in recent years.

The data, obtained by Kennel Store had Worcester as one of the lowest numbers of cases in the whole of the country.

For contrast, the area with the most fines issued was Bassetlaw in Nottinghamshire, with 62 fines issued last year.

Across Worcestershire, Malvern Hills had a total of 10 fines issued in the last four years, while Wychavon did not have a single fine issued in any of the years covered by the data.

Dog fouling is illegal in the UK and the law states that being unaware a dog has fouled or not having a suitable bag is not a reasonable excuse, and could result in dog walkers being penalised.

Not only this, but it is extremely dangerous as contact with dog excrement can cause toxocariasis – a nasty infection that can lead to dizziness, nausea, asthma and even blindness or seizures.

Last year Worcester City Council renewed a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to allow for harsher fines against people who do not pick up after their dog.

At the time, the issue was debated by councillors, who questioned whether it was worth putting the order in place given the difficulty in enforcing it.

The council launched a public consultation into whether the order should be renewed, with 63 per cent of 471 respondents arguing it had not had an impact on the amount of dog mess found.

The order was extended for a further three years, with a similar discussion taking place in Malvern.

Malvern Hills District Council is set to vote on extending the order this week after a new consultation.

There had been a previous Public Space Protection Order issued by the council back in 2017, but this expired in 2021, so councillors were asked if they supported renewing it.

Despite the order being in place, only five fines were handed out to dog owners over the previous cycle.