Fewer than 30 dog poo fines have been issued in Bolton since 2021, data has shown.

According to the council’s website, those failing to pick up their dog’s poo can be prosecuted at the magistrates court and fined up to £1,000.

Residents have submitted a total of 1,107 complaints around dog poo in the borough since 2021 – with the number creeping up year-on-year, an Environmental Information Regulations request has shown.

This year, 167 complaints had already been received by the council by May 13.

At this rate, the number of complaints would be at more than 400 by the end of the year – far higher than the 265 received in 2021.

It is a problem which has not gone unnoticed. In March, Astley Bridge children entered a competition to design posters urging people to pick up their poochs' mess.

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Despite community efforts, however, fines have not been forthcoming.

Since 2021, just 23 fines have been issued in the entirety of the borough, at a value of £2,010 – or around £1.81 per complaint: far lower than the £1,000 maximum threatened.

‘It’s disappointing that it’s so low’

Last month, in Prestolee, Bolton’s dog warden applied stencils warning people to pick up their dog’s poo after a number of complaints, flanked by Cllr Tracey Wilkinson.

The Farnworth and Kearsley First councillor was disappointed by the low number of fines.

Cllr Wilkinson said: “Having a low number of fines, it’s disappointing that it’s so low.

"I’d love to know what the comparison is to other areas, but I also know the struggles and the resources in Bolton.

"We have one dog warden in the whole of Bolton borough and one man can’t be in 10 places at once.

“People see the camera evidence that they’ve got on their Ring camera and think ‘oh great I’ll report it’, but then it can’t go to enforcement because that person doesn’t want their image circulating as people will know where the complaint has come from.

“Lots of time from enforcement they’ve got to have the complainant come on board and residents don’t want to do that in case there’s some come back, so it’s not just a one-way street in a way.

“If it’s a resident reporting the matter with CCTV evidence they can’t use, I can understand why it’s so low.

“If anyone sees dog fouling offences being committed or collects any evidence, I encourage them to pursue the matter through enforcement.”

Situation similar across city-region

Dog poo enforcement is similarly low across other boroughs in the city-region.

In neighbouring Wigan, 2,111 complaints had been made, with just two fines, at £150. Bury didn’t fair any better – with 266 complaints and no fines at all.

In Oldham, 571 reports had been made since 2021, but just two fixed penalties had been issued, at a value of £200. In Stockport, 793 complaints resulted in 10 fines, at a value of £1,000.

Rochdale saw two fines after 867 service requests, and Trafford saw 239 complaints but no fines.

Manchester Council has issued the most fines, at 50 fines since 2021. However, a whopping 3,474 complaints had been made to the authority.

Salford Council and Tameside Council did not respond.

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Bolton Council responds

A council spokesperson said: “Environmental enforcement officers respond to reports of dog fouling, and if enough local intelligence is provided, carry out enquiries to identify offenders. 

 “In some cases, if we can provide evidence in court, fines are issued to the dog owners.  

“However, it is not always possible to trace those responsible for dog fouling or to prove the matter in court.

“As a council we promote responsible dog ownership and remind dog owners of their legal obligations.

“The vast majority of dog owners are responsible, and the problem relates to a small minority of inconsiderate people.”

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.