DOG owners in Swindon are being warned that they could fall foul of the law if they don't clear up after their pets.

Swindon Council has just prosecuted two people for dog fouling offences, and officers are warning other owners to take heed.

Under the Dogs (fouling of land) Act 1996, owners face a fine of up to £1,000 for failing to clear away mess from public areas.

Champion dog breeder Rhoney Fox, of Burghley Close, Walcot, was recently fined a total of £75 for not clearing up after her dogs on three occasions.

She was also fined £50 because two of her pets were not wearing dog collars and had pay a total of £100 in court costs.

Meanwhile, a Highworth man found himself having to fork out a total of £400 for two dog offences.

Timothy Ryan, of Home Farm, Highworth, was fined £300 for not clearing away faeces and not fitting a collar on his pet. He was also ordered to pay £100 in costs.

Although the council doesn't have the exact figures, it has brought several prosecutions for fouling in the past 12 months and issued one formal caution.

The council is warning that its dog warden regularly patrols parks and recreation areas looking for offenders. But people can also call the council to report persistent offenders.

Ian Ashmore, the council's team leader for environmental protection, said: "If a grass verge regularly gets fouled by the same dog walker at a certain time, residents can call us and we will send the dog warden out.

"If the warden sees an owner who doesn't pick up after his dog, we can prosecute.

"People will often say they didn't notice their dog had fouled.

"But people need to keep an eye on their animals because that is not an excuse."

Alternatively, if residents know the name and address of an irresponsible dog owner, they can contact the council, which will send out a warning letter.

Council contractors remove around 1.5-tonnes of waste from dog mess bins in Swindon every week.

Earlier this year, the Evening Advertiser revealed that the bins in Swindon were being emptied by a firm based in Devon.

Drivers had to make a 185-mile round trip to empty the council's 300 bins.

The firm pulled out in March because it was no longer feasible, and the contact was taken over by Merlin Waste Disposal, which is based in the Forest of Dean.

To report an irresponsible dog owner, call Swindon Council's environmental protection team on 01793 463000.

Tamash Lal