A CRACKDOWN on dog fouling is being launched in the Holme Valley.

The problem had to be tackled if the area was to do well in the forthcoming Holme Valley in Bloom and Tidy Trader competitions, said Kirklees Council environmental officer John Stead.

He was speaking at a public meeting held by the council's Holme Valley South Area Committee at the Shepherd's Rest at Hinchliffe Mill. Fifty people attended.

Mr Stead said no special dog fouling bins would be installed, but dog warden patrols would be increased to encourage people to bag up their dogs' mess and put it in ordinary litter bins.

Holme Valley parish councillor Royston Rogers said: "If they use special bins it is treated as chemical waste and is expensive to dispose of.

"If it goes in ordinary bins, Kirklees can deal with it themselves."

Anyone seen letting their dog foul for the first time will be given a scoop to pick up the mess. If they refuse, or repeat the offence, they can be fined between £40 and £2,000.

Mr Rogers said dog owners should also know they could be fined for letting their dogs roam without an identity tag. "If people let their dogs out and they foul areas the dogs can be traced," said Mr Rogers.

"If a dog is not tagged, it will be impounded. The owner gets a £25 fee for having no tag, plus the costs of any damage the dog has caused."

Further efforts to spruce up the Holme Valley will include planting schemes and new litter bins.