COUNCILLORS in Lindley hope to offer free poop scooping equipment to help dog owners clean up their acts.
Kirklees Council's Huddersfield North Area Committee will soon decide whether to pay for 10,000 dog dirt bags and poop scoops.
These will be given to dog owners in the Lindley ward.
Lindley councillors Tony Woodhead and Christine Stanfield are leading the campaign.
It follows the success of a similar scheme in 2004, which was also paid for by the area committee.
The equipment was then given out at Donaldson's vets, Lindley Library and the Methodist Church.
Clr Woodhead said: "It cost about £200 and the scheme was very popular. Demand far outstripped supply.
"I think the streets have improved since, especially green spaces.
"We are hoping the same thing will happen this year. We want to encourage people to clean up after their pets."
Clr Woodhead added that dog wardens in Lindley have backed up the scheme by issuing fixed-penalty notices to people seen letting their dogs foul public areas.
There are four dog wardens covering Kirklees and 30% of their work involves dog fouling.
John Stead, senior animal welfare officer, said fixed-penalty notices were effective - but they were a last resort.
He added: "We start by talking to people and giving them advice. But we give fixed-penalty notices if people are seen allowing their dogs to foul areas and the person doesn't clean it up.
"Where we used fixed penalties it has made the area a little better.
"It will be difficult to say we can eradicate the problem, but people do clean up more than they used to and it will get better."
Mr Stead said many people who do not clean up after their pets let their dogs foul out of habit.
"Then there are people who just don't want to clean it up because they think it's a nasty job. But some just need to be encouraged."
Poop scoops are available from the Kirklees Dog Warden Service at the discount price of £1 for 50.
