DOG owners will be taken to court if they let their pet foul or cause a nuisance, council bosses have warned.

Leaders at Tendring District Council issued the statement of intent after three succesful prosecutions in recent weeks.

Nick Turner, the council’s cabinet member for the environment, said the authority takes dog fouling very seriously and is prepared to take action where owners allow their pets to cause nuisance or anti-social behaviour issues.

Mr Turner, who described the stance as “straight forward”, said: “I want to make it abundantly clear to all that dog owners need to act responsibly and if they don’t we are ready to step in.”

He added: “We simply will not tolerate dog fouling or owners allowing their dogs to make other people’s lives a misery – please let us know if you witness any such incidents.”

Mr Turner said that although the majority of dog owners did not cause a problem, the authority was doing its best to “clamp down on the minority”.

“If we have to take them to court we will,” he added.

In a prosecution last week, a man who admitted leaving dog mess in his Clacton garden was conditionally discharged and ordered to pay �350 costs.

He admitted six charges of failing to comply with an abatement notice to clear up the mess.

Council officers have visited the home to help work out a way to resolve the matter but if the notice is breached again in the next 12 months the owner will be taken back to court and face a stronger penalty.

The council also prosecuted two owners who let their dogs run loose without a collar and tag.

One case was proven in the owner’s absence, resulting in a fine of �110 and �200 costs. In the other case the owner admitted the charge and was fined �200 with �250 costs.

Mr Turner said: “These three recent prosecutions show that we do take action – and get results through the courts – and we will continue to do so.” To contact the council’s dog warden, phone 01255 686766.