CONCERNS have been raised over a council’s ability to enforce new tough dog controls.

Dog owners had their say during a public meeting at Blackburn town hall on Friday and quizzed borough leader Coun Kate Hollern and environment leader Coun Jim Smith.

Coun Smith admitted that the council only employed three dog wardens to police the borough’s parks and that PSCOs, police officers and residents would have to assist them in combating dog fouling and unruly dogs.

He added the council was considering allowing any council worker to be able to help enforce the new rules.

The meeting was called in the wake of council plans to impose tough new dog controls in parks, cemeteries and church grounds.

Blackburn resident David Wilson, who owns a labrador, said: “I thought it was a productive meeting but I’m still concerned about how the council are planning to police this new policy.

“They say it will not have an effect on responsible dog owners but we are going to have to be their eyes and ears. They don’t have enough dog wardens because there are not enough to look after the whole of both Blackburn with Darwen.

“They work on a rota as well so they are not even working all at the same time.

“I’m not sure it’s fair to ask police and the public to pick up the slack.”

Helen Sheppard, from Blackburn, who owns a border terrier, said: “It was a good meeting and nice to get everyone’s views expressed to the leader of the council.

Coun Smith said: “This legislation is here just in case we need it and everyone at the council hopes we don’t.”