The district's mayor said leaving dog droppings in public places was disgusting.

Would you dob in someone who didn't pick up their dog's poo?

It's a question up for discussion on the Kāpiti Coast where residents could get the chance to do just that.

A proposed bylaw change could see dog walkers fined if a member of the public proves they didn't pick up their dog's droppings from public places.

Currently, the dirty deed has to be witnessed by an animal control officer to earn an infringement fine of up to $300.

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The proposal was included in a report to Kāpiti Coast District Council following a review of the Dog Control Act (DCA). Public consultation on the changes will begin next month.

VIRGINIA FALLON/STUFF Kāpiti Coast residents could soon be able to dob in owners who don't pick up their dog's droppings.

Already an offence not to pick up your dog's faeces or carry an appropriate bag or receptacle, it proposed to tighten the rules with the clause:

"It is not a requirement that an Animal Management Officer sight the offence being committed. If there is sufficient evidence based on a member of the public witnessing the event, council may infringe under the DCA 1996."

Kāpiti mayor K Gurunathan​ said dog faeces left in public places were a disgusting issue and he was unaware of any fines issued.

The proposal could mean people would be more responsible for fear of being reported, he said.

"It will empower good citizens to uphold the public good in public spaces."

JOHN HAWKINS/STUFF Already dog walkers must carry bags and pick up after their dogs.

Strategy and Policy Committee chair James Cootes said it was early days, but councillors were keen to hear people's views.

"It's fair to say that poo is a fairly emotive topic and a week wouldn't go by where someone hasn't complained on Neighbourly or Facebook about someone else's dog poo.

"Essentially infringements are a last resort and we would encourage people to be a responsible owner and pick their pooch's poo up."

When Stuff asked what evidence would be sufficient for an infringement and if giving a home address would help identify the person, environmental standards manager Jacquie Muir said consultation would open on August 7 and public submissions were be welcome after that.

"We want to give our community the full suite of information around this consultation – existing Dog Control Policy and Bylaw, the Draft Dog Control Policy and Bylaw, and the Statement of Proposal – and the opportunity to read and understand them before we start engaging on particular points in isolation," Muir said.

VIRGINIA FALLON/STUFF Leaving doggy do behind can earn owners a $300 fine.

On Neighbourly, Kāpiti people were divided on the issue; 52 per cent said they would report someone who didn't pick up their dog's droppings.

Yvonne Christian was for the idea - sick of picking up other people's dog poos both at the park and off her front lawn.

"I have enough poo to pick up after my own dogs."

Shirley Arbuckle-Hart agreed: "I pick up after mine, so why should other people opt out of their responsibility?"

Wellington and Porirua City councils said they would look to investigate an incident if there was sufficient evidence to do so, but neither had plans to change their bylaws.