EFFORTS to fine owners who don’t pick up after their dogs are running into problems.

Council wardens from the Neighbourhood Service have been going out on early morning and late night patrols in their areas to try to enforce the law, some even donning plain clothes.

But “catching people in the act” has proved to be difficult, a new council report reveals.

The council received 1,026 complaints about dog fouling between April 2013 and last month, but only handed out 32 fines.

Councillor Val Slater urged anyone with information about offenders to get in touch.