CARELESS dog owners in Basildon, who let their animals poo in public, may soon be slapped with a £75 fine.

The council will vote over whether to crack down on people who are letting their dogs foul on pavements and in parks without cleaning it up.

If councillors give the proposals the go-ahead, then enforcement officers will be despatched and given new powers to issue on-the-spot fines.

Malcolm Buckley, councillor responsible for the environment, said: “Ten or 15 years ago, it was unheard of to see dog owners carrying plastic bags to pick up after their dogs, but now it is commonplace.

“It makes it especially unacceptable for the minority, who still don’t clear up after their pets.

“The health risks are particularly high when it comes to young people and children.

“We are therefore looking to introduce this order to make sure our streets and parks remain clean and safe for people to use.”

Mr Buckley believes the vast majority of dog owners in the district act responsibly and won’t be affected.

However, he added: “Those who can’t be bothered, or don’t care about the health of others, can expect to be given a fixed penalty notice. We hope this scheme is going to be successful in the same way our waste and recycling schemes have been recently.”

If the council opts to back the proposals, the authority will have to publish a public notice warning members of the public. The powers will come into force 21 days later.

Councillors will vote on the proposals at a cabinet meeting next Thursday.