Full-time dog fouling wardens are set to be unleashed in Dundee.
The city currently has 23 animal control officers who can give out fixed penalty notices to inconsiderate pet owners, but have had to juggle this task with other duties.
Now, during a 14-day trial, some of these employees will be sent to the city’s public spaces solely to crackdown on fouling.
Dundee City Council will then decide whether to make the change permanent.
Craig Melville, environment convener for Dundee City Council, hopes that by having a full-time presence in parks, more dog walkers will pick up after their pets.
He said that the details of who will be deployed and when are still to be finalised, but that the rial would hopefully begin within the next few weeks.
Mr Melville said: “We want to get the message across that Dundee City Council takes the issue of dog fouling extremely seriously.
“The trial period will show whether having full time wardens leads to an increase in fines and we’ll take it from there.
“There are 1,300 strategically placed dog bins in Dundee and we give out free dog poo bags so there’s no excuse.”
Animal control officers currently have a number of duties, from dealing with complaints about noisy and aggressive dogs to removing dead animals.
Dog-walker Davy Cunningham, 70, approves of the plans to allow some to focus solely on fouling.
He said: “I think it’s a great idea. Regular dog walkers at the likes of Baxter Park pick up after their pets but you always get the odd one who doesn’t.”
Gail McGuiness, 41, agreed, saying: “There’s far too much dog fouling going on.”