COUNCIL chiefs have pledged to continue a crackdown on irresponsible dog owners following a second successful prosecution.

Hambleton District Council says it will keep up a campaign against dog fouling after Richmond magistrates ordered a Stokesley woman to pay a £50 fine and costs of £30 for failing to clean up after her dog.

A similar fine was handed to a Northallerton dog owner last month.

The authority's head of environmental health and housing, Eric Kendall, said: "Both owners had to pay a fixed penalty fine of £25 and now have criminal records as a result of this prosecution."

He said: "We are determined to crack down on this problem. Most animal owners are responsible people who clean up after their pets and we must support them.

"But there are still some who walk away from the mess or pretend they don't know it is happening and it is those we will continue to track down."

Leaflets explaining the law and how to report cases can be obtained by calling community environment officer, Hilary Clough-Smith, on (01609) 767160.