RESIDENTS and visitors are being reminded of a county by-law in place to deal with issues the control of dogs.

A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) is in place across Denbighshire and bans dogs from maintained sports pitches, fenced off children’s play areas, cemeteries, bowling greens and any education land, including leisure centres.

There are also seasonal exclusions over the summer months on Rhyl beach between River Street in West parade, east to Old Golf Road, East Parade. The exclusion area in Prestatyn will be from the Lido Beach footpath east to the Prestatyn Sailing Club slipway at Barkby Beach.

In other public spaces, owners are asked to keep their dogs on a lead and to make sure they always have the means to clean up after their animals.

Emlyn Jones, head of Planning and Public Protection, said: "The campaign has been running for several years and has proved to be a great success.

"Dog fouling incidents are dropping, but complaints to the Council are still coming in. That is why we are reminding residents of the need to clean up after their animals and to keep control over where and when they can be taken.

“The recently employed staff from District Enforcement will be about working across the county over the coming weeks and months, educating people about the need to keep streets clean and tidy."

Advisory signs are placed around the county carrying the words ‘Anti-Social Behaviour and Policing Act 2014 Control of Dogs Public Space Protection Order’. It is only these signs that authorise enforcement.

The Order was introduced as part of a concerted campaign to clean up the streets of Denbighshire.

The law can be enforced by individual officers working for or on behalf of the authority, as well as police.