Foul language used to clean up dog mess

A hard-hitting campaign is using foul language to hammer home the message to dog owners to clean up after their pets.

Eye-catching posters have been displayed along the seafront and in areas where dog fouling is a problem.

They can be downloaded from the borough council's website at www.hastings.gov.uk and residents are being encouraged to do so and print them off as part of the war on irresponsible dog owners.

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Caroline Kelly, council spokesman, defended the campaign's use of swear words and said there had only been two complaints from residents.

She said: "We have had hundreds of people contacting us saying well done."

Councillor Phil Scott, lead member for the environment, said: "In every survey and interaction we have with residents they tell us time and time again that they are fed up with dog fouling.

"So are we, and that's why we decided that enough was enough.

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"Yes, these posters are hard-hitting and yes they make you look twice but we want that small minority of irresponsible dog owners to be very aware that we will not tolerate this behaviour.

"If you are caught failing to clear up after your dog, you will be fined. It's as simple as that.

"The vast majority of residents we've talked to are behind our campaign and as of yesterday, we've only had two complaints, including one from outside Hastings.

"We want people to report their problem areas, so call us on 0800 0854 500 or email [email protected]."

Since April 2008 the council has issued more than 200 75 Fixed Penalty Notices and prosecuted more than a dozen people for dog fouling offences.

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