Specially-trained wardens are patrolling Islington's parks, streets, housing estates and public spaces as new dog laws come into force.
The new Dog Control Orders mean owners who refuse to clean up after their pets or allow their dogs to run wild in public can now be fined.
Following a huge public consultation, dogs are also banned from certain public spaces.
Islington Council's street environment wardens Abdi Abyan and Michel Macauley, both 32, are part of the team on hand to help the public and issue fines if necessary.
Michel said: "The vast majority of people, including those we've met on our patrols today, have a responsible attitude.
"But we've now got new powers which we can use to deal with the small minority of irresponsible owners.
"This is about education, not just enforcement, so we'll be carrying out high-visibility patrols to make sure everyone knows about the new regulations."
Wardens will be dishing out dog-fouling bags and literature about the new laws as they patrol around the borough.
More than 1,700 people responded to a consultation to determine where and how the Dog Control Orders should be implemented.
The new orders mean people who refuse to clean up after their pets can now be fined, along with owners who refuse to put their dog on a lead when asked by authorised officers. Dogs will be banned from some parks and open spaces, along with children's play and sports areas.
Cllr Ruth Polling, Islington Council's Executive Member for Leisure, said: "Through our consultation, residents have helped us map out where and how these laws should be enforced and we have revised our plans as a result.
"We want to continue to work with residents to implement these orders. Any resident who is concerned about dogs in a particular area can call us so we can concentrate our enforcement in hotspot areas.
"We've listened - and now we will be educating and enforcing to make Islington cleaner and safer for everyone."
Street environment wardens have received specialist training on how to approach dogs, and to understand breeds and their different characteristics.
A range of staff, drawn from Islington Council, the Park Patrol, Homes for Islington and the police, will be on hand - including out-of-hours - to enforce the legislation across the borough including housing estates, parks and open spaces.
They will concentrate their efforts on particular hotspots identified by the consultation. If residents would like to report areas with particular problems they should call Contact Islington on 020 7527 2000 so officers can regularly patrol.
ENDS
PICTURES:
DOG 01 (L-R): Street environment warden Michael Macauley with Cllr Ruth Polling and 20-year-olds Nicola Bradley and Liana Goss, both from Highbury, with three-year-old Lakeland Terrier, Basil
DOG02 (L-R): Street environment warden Michael Macauley with 20-year-olds Nicola Bradley and Liana Goss, both from Highbury, with three-year-old Lakeland Terrier, Basil
DOG03 (L-R): Street environment warden Michael Macauley; Cllr Ruth Polling; 20-year-olds Nicola Bradley and Liana Goss, both from Highbury, with their three-year-old Lakeland Terrier, Basil; dog walker Ann Holmes from Dalston with Nancy, her 12-year-old Yorkshire Terrier; and street environment warden Abdi Abyan.
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008