WARDENS have not fined a single dog walker for failing to carry a poo bag in the first six months since it became an offence.

Malvern Hills District Council introduced a Public Space Protection Order in June last year to try and stamp out dog fouling.

The law also meant wardens could fine a walker if their dog was off the lead in certain areas or if it entered an enclosed playground.

A Freedom of Information request has revealed that not a single fine was issued to walkers for failing to have a poo bag, between June 1 and November 30.

Councillor Bronwen Behan, who is responsible for the environment at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “The fact we haven’t issued a fine yet under the new order is a positive as it shows it is working.

“We don’t want to be issuing huge amounts of fines to people. What we want is for dog owners to take their responsibilities seriously and pick up after their pet and the vast majority are doing that.

“We will continue to combine enforcement with education and I urge anyone who sees someone failing to clean up after their dog to report it to us via our website.”

Cllr Behan said a three month education programme followed the introduction of the new fine order.

She added that locals have waved their poo bags at wardens to show their support for the policy.

She said: “We carry out regular patrols and targeted activity at dog fouling hot spots based on reports from the public.

“We’ve also launched our new Green Dog Walkers scheme which will provide more eyes and ears on the ground to help us target our enforcement more effectively where it is needed."

District councillor Sarah Rouse, leader of the Democratic Group, said she preferred offering advice to dog walkers over issuing punitive fines.

She added: “I have not seen much improvement in the dog fouling issue.

“It is hard for wardens to catch people and their dogs in the act. The irresponsible dog owners are just carrying on regardless.

“So we need to engage more with children and schools and focus our efforts on education.

“As a dog owner myself it is daunting to ask others to pick up after their dogs when you do not know how they will react.

“I am a great supporter of the National Trust idea of spraying the poo with coloured sprays. It works well.

“It embarrasses those letting their dogs foul and helps stop people from stepping in it. Perhaps that’s something Malvern Hills District Council should also take up in bad areas.”

Patrols to tackle dog fouling have taken place all over the district including in: Upton, Tenbury, Great Malvern, Kempsey Common, Old Hills, Priory Park, Upton, Vandra Close, in Malvern, Kempsey Park, Powick and Sling Lane Playing Fields.