A CAMPAIGN is being launched to encourage dog owners in Blackbird Leys to clean up after their pets.

Oxford city councillors, parish councillors and council officers will be joined by local volunteers over the next two weeks to speak to dog walkers and give out free dog poo bags.

The aim of the campaign, starting on Monday, is to encourage responsible dog ownership to make Blackbird Leys’ and Greater Leys’ parks and open spaces a cleaner environment.

Residents have raised concerns about dog fouling in Blackbird Leys’ parks, particularly Blackbird Leys Park and Gillians Park.

It is an offence for dog owners not to clean up after their pets. Owners can be issued with an £80 fixed penalty notice and, if prosecuted, a court can issue a £1,000 fine.

Dog muck can be placed in bags and put in special bins, which are located at entrances and exits in all Blackbird Leys’ parks, or double bagged and put in litter bins.

As part of the campaign, officers and councillors will also remind dog owners of the legal requirement that all dogs are micro-chipped.

Blackbird Leys parish council chairman John Dillon, said: “Most of the dog walkers I meet every day in the park clear up their dog mess, but there are days when it’s obvious some don’t bother.”

Linda Smith, city councillor for Blackbird Leys, said: “It is important that we address residents’ concerns around dog fouling in Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys.”