CHEEKY con men are cashing in on unsuspecting dog owners out walking their pets in a Rawdon park.

The bogus dog wardens have been going up to people and demanding £25 on the spot fines after claiming they have photographic evidence that their dogs have fouled the park.

And now, Leeds City Council has taken the step of warning people to be on their guard and advising people to call its environmental health department if in any doubt.

Last week, a woman who was walking her dog was approached by two men who demanded she should hand over £25 after claiming they had photographs of her dog fouling.

Graham Wilson, the council's assistant chief environmental officer, said: "We would like to warn members of the public to be on their guard. Leeds City Council dog wardens do not impose on-the-spot fines. While we do take action against owners who allow their dogs to foul, offenders are always prosecuted through the courts.

"All our wardens carry identification and if anyone is approached in this way, they should ask to see that identification. If anyone is in further doubt they should contact the environmental health department to confirm the identity of the warden."

Peter Krusniak, the Neighbourhood Watch liaison officer based at Weetwood Police Station, said he was aware of the incident.

"We don't have dog wardens in Leeds who issue fines and people do not have to pay fines there and then," he said.

Mr Krusniak added that he thought the bogus dog wardens had been 'cheeky'.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.