DOG owners who fail to clean up after their pets are running the risk of incurring on-the-spot fines.

Officers from Hartlepool Borough Council say they will not hesitate to issue £50 fixed penalty notices to people who allow their dogs to foul public areas in the town. If the fines are not paid within 14 days, court action may follow.

The crackdown on dog fouling is being organised by the council's new environmental action team, which is responsible for a range of enforcement duties.

Members of the team operate across the town, including local beauty spots such as the Local Nature Reserves at Greatham Beck and the Hart to Haswell Walkway amid reports that visitors enjoyment of these areas is being ruined by irresponsible dog owners.

The team is also working closely with the council's countryside wardens to persuade dog owners to either use dog dirt bins that have been installed in various locations or to collect waste in a plastic bag and dispose of it properly at home.

Local Nature Reserve officer Joe Davis said: "Dog dirt is a blight on the environment. It is unsightly, it smells and poses a health hazard.

"We would urge owners to act responsibly and always clean up after their pets. Unfortunately, too many people seem to feel that it isn't their job to clean up after their animals.

"In other cases, owners collect their dogs excrement in plastic bags but then simply throw the bags away into the undergrowth. This is even worse than doing nothing because a very unpleasant litter problem is also created."

Craig Thelwell, the council's environmental action manager, said: "Where people refuse to take their responsibilities seriously we will not hesitate to take action, including issuing on-the-spot fines.