DOG owners in Huddersfield are being urged to clean up their act.

Kirklees Council is calling on dog owners to behave responsibly and help improve the environment.

The council is targeting owners who let their pets foul the pavements and grass verges - causing health hazards for everyone.

Clr Ann Denham, the council's Cabinet member for the environment and highways, said: "A lot of dog owners are very responsible and well-informed people.

"However, there is a minority that need to be more responsible and we are appealing to these owners to help improve our environment and the safety and well-being of people and animals."

Estimates put the UK dog population between 6.5m and 7.4m, producing 1,000 tonnes of faeces every day. The effect of this is not just visually unpleasant but has serious effects on health.

Clr Denham said: "Dog fouling in parks and other public open spaces creates a risk of disease, especially to children and people in wheelchairs whose hands can become contaminated.

"Even in the countryside, dog fouling can cause disease in farm animals.

"Letting your dog foul the roadside verge is illegal as it is still part of the highway and subject to the same laws or bylaws as the road and pavements."

Dogs not under proper control can cause road accidents, attack people or other animals, and even the most docile of dogs can revert to their natural instinct and chase sheep and other livestock.

Clr Denham added: "It is a specific offence to allow a dog to attack or chase livestock or be in a field or enclosure in which there are sheep unless on a lead or under `close control'.

"Farmers are permitted to shoot dogs that worry livestock on their land.

"Open Access land also has specific rules that dogs must be kept on a fixed lead of not more than two metres in length at all times from March 1 to July 31 in order to protect ground nesting birds and livestock.

"Some areas may have complete dog exclusions and will be indicated by additional signs or notices."

* Train your dog to defecate on your own property before taking it for a walk.

* Do not allow your dog to foul anywhere the public has access such as: footways, rights of way, parks, playing fields and on farmland where there is livestock.

* If your dog does foul, pick it up using a bag or 'poop scoop' device and dispose of it properly such as in a dog waste bin.

* Ensure your dog is wormed regularly.

* Ensure your dog has a collar and contact details.

* Keep your dog under proper control at all times and on a lead if necessary.