A new in-house dog warden service is to be created in Hambleton district after a flood of complaints from residents.

The £40,000 scheme would mean the district council employing its own warden to control stray dogs, carry out patrols and target areas which suffer from persistent dog fouling problems.

The authority had a joint private contract with Richmondshire District Council from April 2009 and more recently Craven District Council was supplying the service, but neither provided for issuing fixed penalty notices for dog fouling and just three were issued in the past year.

Director of Planning, Mick Jewitt, says in a report to Hambleton’s cabinet that the new warden would provide a better quality and more responsive service.

“There have been an average of 93 stray dogs reported each year over the last three years and the number of reports of dog fouling has risen from 14 in 2011 to 60 last year. However dog fouling is consistently identified as a major issue of concern by the public.

“The aim of the service will be for the council to be more effective in dealing with stray dogs and dog fouling through direct action and the deterrent value of having a highly visible service, including publicising prosecutions,” he added.

The council's cabinet meets on May 6 to discuss the issue and councillors are recommended to set up the new service.