MORE than 5,000 complaints of dog fouling have been made to Renfrewshire Council in six years - including 1,018 this year alone, startling new figures reveal. The latest figure is on course to be DOUBLE the number for the whole of 2011, with 80 dog owners receiving �40 fixed penalties so far this year and 56 warning letters being issued.

Disgusted residents are now calling for more to be done to tackle lazy owners who allow their pets to foul the area's parks and pavements.

Calling for tougher fines, George Kennedy, Secretary of Johnstone Community Council, branded the problem in the town and surrounding villages as "absolutely disguting."

"Almost everywhere you look there is a foul mess and it seems to be getting worse," he said.

"People are fined more for littering or dropping a cigarette than they are for not picking up dog mess, which I think is a whole lot worse and needs looking in to.

"Dog excrement poses a far more dangerous hazard - particularly to young children."

Councillor Kennedy revealed how he went out with some Renfrewshire Council Wardens last week to areas of the town and was appalled at what he saw.

"we discovered this is something that is happening every day. Yet hardly any fines have been issued as there seems to be a lack of people reporting this." "It poses so many dangers, parents walking with prams may accidentally run over it and this could trail back into their homes or into a car.

"I've also noticed that many people are even going as far to pretend to pick up the mess and just leaving it there. It seems there is scant regard for the safety of children." Figures gathered by Scotland's councils using freedom of information reveal that a staggering 13,461 complaints have been made about dog fouling this year.

Edinburgh has been reported as the worst area for complaints as 1,730 reports were made. Wardens also handed out the highest number of fines at 275.

Those caught leaving any mess behind are given fixed penalties of �40, increasing to �60 if they fail to pay within 28 days.

However some residents have complained over the lack of bins in the Johnstone and surrounding areas, stating that this could be one of the main reasons owners are unable to clean up after themselves.

One resident, Dean Jardine said on Facebook: "As a dog owner in Johnstone I can say I'm able to walk my dog all the way to Lochwinnoch without passing one bin.

"Although I'm not saying this is a reason for not picking up your dog mess, some people may not like to walk 7 or 8 miles with a bag of poo in their hand." However another resident, Jacquie Dougan disagreed that this is an excuse, saying: "Any bin in Renfrewshire can be used to dispose of your bag. "It is a �40 fine if people do not pick up after their dog and it is a �60 fine for littering if you drop your bag at the side - even if you have intentions of picking it back up on your way home." Lorna Daly, of Johnstone, said: "Cochrane Castle is awful for dog mess - it's dodge the poop every morning and there is always mess at Cochrane Castle Primary School too. They should be fined on the spot." Dog fouling can be linked to Toxocariasis, a disease which is caused by coming into contact with dog excrements of contaminated soil.

There are around 16,000 cases reported each year, with 50 cases of serious eye infection and even blindness.

Councillors are now urging people in Renfrewshire who witness dog fouling to come forward and report it.

Councillor James Harte, convener of Renfrewshire Council's Environment and Infrastructure Policy Board, said: "The council takes the issue of dog fouling very seriously and has a number of measures aimed at tackling the problem.

"Since April of this year, our community safety service has issued 80 fixed-penalty notices to irresponsible dog owners who did not pick up after their pets in Renfrewshire. We have also sent out 56 warning letters over the same period.

"Our award-winning dog fouling campaign involved increased patrols in hotspot areas, and used posters, stickers on bins and leaflets to raise awareness.

"When we receive complaints, we assess the area to determine the extent of the problem and put measures in place to deal with it.

"The key message of the campaign is that if communities are willing to work with us, dog fouling is a problem we can tackle together. If people report irresponsible dog owners to us, we can make direct contact with them.

"Anybody who sees someone allowing their dog to foul a public place should report the details to 0300 300 3800." Calls are now being made by Johnstone community council in a bid to crack down on on anti-social behaviour by dog owners.

Community council secretary George Kennedy has also announced that a meeting will take place on December 13 next month to look at measures for tackling the issue.

Mr Kennedy continued: "We have to start looking into fixing more serious penalties for people who let their dogs foul out on the street as it is only a matter of time before there are serious consequences.

"Millions of pounds are being spent into transforming Johnstone so what is the point if people are just going to let their dogs leave mess all over the town and ruin it?

"The problem is becoming rife so this is something that the community council will be looking into seriously for our next meeting.

"There must be much stricter penalities and dog owners have to start being more responsible before someone is harmed."