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Irresponsible dog owners are likely to see their chances of getting away without clearing up poo significantly diminish.

Stroud District Council wants to give powers to issue penalty fines to town and parish council officers within its area.

Currently there are only 20 people in the district with such powers.

The authority's full council is likely to vote for plans to authorise town and parish council officers to serve fixed penalty notices for dog fouling offences, meaning there is more chance offenders will be caught.

The maximum punishment for such an offence is £1,000.

The move by Stroud District Council was granted by the Environment Committee on June 7 following a request from Dursley Town Council, and now needs final approval from the full council this Thursday (July 19).

A report being presented before members described dog fouling as a "significant problem", despite the number of complaints about it decreasing.

A report released ahead of the full council meeting said: "There are currently 20 SDC staff who are authorised to serve FPN’s for such offences and whilst there has also been a proactive approach to this issue including the use of signs, stencils, highlight spraying of ‘deposits’ and regular patrols in hot spot areas etc, the proposed additional resource would be welcomed."

The full council will meet this Thursday (July 19) at 7pm.