Dog owners could be fined or prosecuted after a borough council reintroduced rules to keep the area clean of dog poo.

Eastleigh Borough Council has reintroduced its public spaces order (PSPO) against dog fouling after its last policy lapsed in October 2020 during the pandemic.

The PSPO has been implemented with 'immediate effect' and means the council can deal with behaviour that negatively affects quality of life, including dog fouling and owners who fail to pick it up.

While several methods are currently used to deter fouling, such as signage and warning letters, a PSPO is required for the council to take enforcement action.

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Owners who don’t pick up after their pets may be given a fine or, in certain circumstances, may be prosecuted.

A consultation took place between March and May, receiving 51 responses, with 72 per cent supporting the proposal.

Questions were raised about whether owners who pick up after their dogs but throw the bags in trees or leave them all over the place would also be covered by the PSPO.

Cllr Rupert Kyrle said that to be fined, dog owners must be caught in the act by an authorised officer, which could be a police or council officer.

He said people have to be seen disposing of dog waste inappropriately, which would include hanging it from trees like “Christmas baubles” or “throwing around” a plastic bag.

Cllr Kyrle also said that since the legislation change, dog waste can also be disposed of in “normal bins” on Eastleigh streets.

The new policy was brought in on September 26.