ANGRY parents are demanding the council takes action against dog owners who allow their pets to foul the pavement.
Members of the public have contacted the Herald claiming the unsightly and unhygienic problem has escalated in the past few months.
And they have accused Eastbourne Borough Council of not cracking down on the issue - despite new hard-hitting dog l
aws being into force last month.
One angry parent fumed, "I have read quotes from council staff that dog fouling is taken very seriously.
"It is difficult to reconcile that position with the knowledge that Eastbourne Borough Council has never, in recent history anyway, prosecuted anyone for the offence.
"They don't even have to take an offender to court now, they can issue a fixed penalty ticket on the spot.
"For anyone, especially those with children, dog fouling is a curse and needs someone in authority to take the problem more seriously than is clearly being done at the moment.
"Has EBC ever prosecuted anyone for dog fouling?"
An EBC spokesperson admitted that no-one has been prosecuted for dog fouling in the past 12 months.
Nearby Hastings Borough Council, in contrast, is taking two people to court and has served 21 fixed penalty notices in the last 12 months.
The council uses hidden cameras to catch people failing to clean up after their pets.
A Hastings Borough Council spokesperson said, "'We pride ourselves on having clean streets, and are committed to ridding the pavements of dog mess.
"The small minority of inconsiderate dog owners who don't clear up their pets' poo can make it very unpleasant for others and, of course, dog faeces can be a real health hazard.
"We will continue our campaign to rid the streets of this mess, and will not hesitate to issue further fixed penalties.
"Our wardens are patrolling 'hotspots' out of uniform to catch offenders, and will shortly be using hidden cameras.
"This will also help us catch other 'enviro-crime' offenders who fly-tip, and litter the streets."
At the time of going to press the Herald had not been provided with details regarding the number of fixed penalty notices issued.
A council spokesman said, "The council is focusing on prevention and encouraging people to use disposal bags."
DO YOU think more should be done to outlaw dog mess? Comment here or e-mail the Herald and Gazette.
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