THE latest weapon in the war against dog fouling has been unleashed by Northumberland County Council.

Dog owners no longer have an excuse for falling foul of the law when it comes to picking up after their four-legged friends after the installation of free dog waste bag dispensers at two dog fouling hot spots.

The entrances to Tyne Green Country Park in Hexham and Milburn Park bowling green in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea have been chosen on a two-month trial basis as locations for the dispensers, which hold free, 100 per cent compostable and biodegradable dog waste bags.

If they prove successful, there are plans to introduce more dog waste stations across the county.

Coun. Glen Sanderson, cabinet member for local services at Northumberland County Council, said: “No community should have to put up with streets and green spaces polluted with dog fouling.

“Seeing bags readily available will hopefully encourage irresponsible dog walkers to take one and pick up after their dog. Or at the very least, it will make them realise that it is the right thing to do – and there can be no excuses.”

The stations have been provided free of charge by international company TiksPac, which will cover its costs through advertising.