AREAS of Gwynedd affected by the increasing presence of dog mess are set to benefit from the County Council's latest scheme to help tackle the problem.

Residents in Bangor, Bethesda, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Llanrug and Porthmadog are among those who have reported problems in recent months – with particular concerns raised regarding the problem on paths used as routes to schools.

Gwynedd councillors in those communities were alerted to the problem and these concerns were then relayed to Gwynedd’s Street Enforcement and Street Cleaning Departments for action.

As a result, the affected areas will receive increased visits by Street Enforcement Wardens and Gwynedd Tidy Towns is also involved with raising awareness.

Councillor Rheinallt Puw, Gwynedd Council member for Bethesda’s Ogwen ward said: "There are a small number of persistent dog fouling offenders here in Bethesda who don’t seem at all concerned about the effect that their carelessness is having on the health and wellbeing others.

"I am therefore very pleased that the Gwynedd Councils Street Enforcement Team and Tidy Towns are helping to track down the offenders and to raise awareness locally.”

Councillor Keith Jones, who represents the Hirael Ward in Bangor added: "It is disgraceful that anyone can be so inconsiderate to allow their dog to foul on an area that is so close to a primary school.

"I sincerely hope that Gwynedd Council’s Street Enforcement Officers are able to track down the culprits. It is also up to us as a community to help the enforcement officers by being prepared to name and shame these inconsiderate offenders."

Many dogs are infected with parasites which can be harmful to people, especially children. Toxocariasis is a disease caused when the eggs of toxocara worms are transferred from dogs to people through infected dog mess or soil. Infection can lead to illness and even blindness.

In Gwynedd it is a criminal offence to take a dog onto designated children’s play areas, school grounds, sports pitches and certain beaches (April-September) or to allow your dog to foul any public space. Offenders are liable to receive a £100 fixed penalty, with failure to pay potentially leading to a court summons and a fine of up to £1,000.