Selfish dog owners are costing council taxpayers £100,000 a year.

That is the amount the council spends clearing dog mess from Brighton and Hove's streets and parks.

To help people clean up after their pets, the council provides bins so dog mess can be disposed of hygienically.

But many owners choose to walk off rather than doing the responsible thing.

Some of the worst areas for dog mess are around schools in Queen's Park, Brighton, where the council has received several complaints.

Cityclean, the council's refuse team, estimates the cost of removing dog dirt is at least £100,000 per year. This includes the time it takes staff to deal with an offending foul-up.

Failing to clean up dog mess on council land is illegal under the Dogs Fouling of Land Act 1996.

The council has taken a handful of people to court, most recently last year.

Those caught can be fined up to £1,000 or given a fixed penalty notice of £50.

But catching owners is notoriously difficult and, in many cases, the council ends up having to do the job itself.

Anyone who wants to report dog fouling can contact the council's animal welfare team on 01273 292400 or 292406.