Council urge pooper snoopers to snitch on anyone who fails to pick up after their pooch

Residents in Southend are being urged to stamp out dog fouling by snitching on anyone who fails to pick up their dog's poo.

Leaflets are now being printed up by Southend Council including a form where snoopers can note the date, time, location and a description of the offender and report it. A council officer will then use the information to lay in wait and catch the culprit in the act in order to hit them with an £80 fixed penalty notice.



Tony Cox, Southend councillor for public protection and waste, said: “The problem is we can’t issue a fine unless we see someone in the act. But dogs are habitual creatures, if they do it on one day there’s a very high chance that on every subsequent day that will happen within that period.

“If you give the intelligence to the council a member of the Eco Team will go there and observe.” Councillor Chris Walker, who is a member of the panel, said: “I think the only reason people don’t clear up is sheer laziness. If council officers come out and catch people at it then it’s good.”