Appeal for public to report dog fouling.

People are again being urged to report dog fouling to the appropriate authorities as an operation to crack down on offenders is set to continue in Moray.

Over the past month Moray Council’s community wardens have been carrying out plain clothes patrols in known problem areas as part of Operation Typhoon.

Although the majority of dog owners were found to being acting responsibly and clearing up after their dogs, enforcement action was taken against one individual in the form of an £80 fixed penalty.

The council’s community safety team received 164 complaints about dog fouling in the past year – the biggest number of complaints in relation to any form of antisocial behaviour – and issued 12 fixed penalties.

Community safety officer Willie Findlay urged communities to identify those responsible for leaving dog mess behind.

He said: “Many of the complaints we get are anonymous, however the word of just one witness is sufficient to allow a fixed penalty notice to be issued and I don’t think this is widely known by the public.

“Operation Typhoon will be continuing in the weeks ahead and we will support communities to combat specific issues they have with dog fouling.”

Community warden Tim Betts said all but one of the 23 dog owners he and his colleagues had engaged during their plain clothes patrols were seen to be acting responsibly and cleaning up after their dogs.

“We engaged with them, and commended them for that,” he said. “We are aware, however, that there are those who still do not pick up behind them and Operation Typhoon will continue to target those areas where this is occurring at all times of the day.”

Members of the public can report dog fouling using the online reporting form on the Moray Council website or mobile app.