Dog owners are being urged to bin their bags after they've picked up after their pets.

The call has come from members of the Cabinet at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council following an increase in the number of bags being left on streets and paths across the area.

Councillor Mike Bowen, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: "We all want to enjoy streets and public areas that are free of dog mess and I'm pleased to say that most dog owners do behave responsibly and do the right thing by cleaning up after their pet.

"But just bagging up the waste is not enough - the bags need to be put in public bins or to be taken home for disposal. Leaving them lying around, or even worse, hanging them in trees and hedges in our beautiful country lanes, means people are still at risk of stepping on, or coming into contact, with them which is not just unpleasant it's potentially harmful.

"We're urging people who are doing this to think about the impact their actions are having on other people and their local community and to just take the final step of disposing of the bags properly."

And Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Sav Scalise, echoed those sentiments adding: "I have certainly noticed an increase in the amount of bagged dog waste being left lying around in recent weeks and months.

"There is no more excuse for this than there is for leaving it unbagged - it still means that our teams have to come and clear mess that someone else has left and it is not acceptable.

"Our teams are working hard to continue to provide the essential services we all rely on, and to support our district as we ease out of lockdown, and we're calling on dog owners to play their part by binning the bags and not creating additional - and avoidable - work for our cleaning crews."

Anyone caught not picking up after their dog can be fined £100 and the Council will take legal action if the fine is not paid.

Dog fouling can be reported by completing a short form here.