Wirral’s Community Patrol will provide extra bite to the annual campaign to reduce the level of dog fouling in the borough.

Officers have been given powers to enforce legislation around dog fouling and will be carrying out additional, dedicated patrol operations across Wirral throughout the summer months to help tackle the issue.

Their primary role, backed by police Community Support Officers and staff from Wirral Council’s Animal Control team, will be to raise awareness among dog walkers of the importance of cleaning up after their pet.

However, they will have the powers to issue fixed penalty notices against irresponsible owners and, in some cases, pursue a prosecution through the courts.

The campaign launches officially this Saturday, May 9, at noon outside the Floral Pavilion Theatre in New Brighton.

Wirral’s Mayor, Cllr. Adrian Jones, will bring his dog along to launch where he will join other responsible dog owners and their pets in showing their support for the ‘Don’t Give A Dog A Bad Name’ campaign.

Council staff will be on hand to distribute branded, biodegradable ‘poop bags’ to dog walkers and will advise them that these bags, once used, can be deposited in ANY general waste bin.

Community Patrol officers will also begin their patrols along New Brighton promenade on Saturday and, as part of their operation, will be giving out special reward cards to dog owners who they observe cleaning up after their pets; these rewards cards qualify the owner for entry into a monthly prize draw.