Dogs are to be banned from being let off their leads across Brighton and Hove.

The canine clampdown will see £80 fines handed out to owners who allow their pet to roam free in any street in the city.

It will also become an offence not to put a dog on a lead immediately when asked by police or animal welfare officers anywhere in Brighton and Hove, including parks.

Demands on the council's dogcatchers have rocketed during previous years.

Complaints ranging from dog mess to stray and dangerous animals have more than doubled from 956 in 2004 to 2,068 in 2006.

The council's four animal welfare officers will be responsible for dishing out the fines but discussions are being held with police with a view to bringing community support officers on board.

By-laws dealing with dogs and dogs' mess are left over from the days when Brighton and Hove were separate authorities.

And if environment councillors give the scheme their approval at a meeting in Hove Town Hall next Thursday the city council's animal welfare officers will begin consultation on a new dog control order.

Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, chairman of the environment committee, said: "These changes should make it a lot easier for dog owners to understand exactly where dogs are allowed to go, when they should be on leads and should reiterate that people must always clean up after their dogs, as failure to do so could result in a fine of up to £80 under the new legislation."

A dog ban in all children's play areas and on Brighton beach between the Palace Pier and Hove peace statue from April to September will also remain in place.

Dogs will be allowed off the lead in parks and other sections of the beach.

Labour councillor Gill Mitchell, leader of the opposition, said: "I'm all for greater clarity as where dogs can or can't go but what people will want to know is how this will be enforced, particularly in relation to dogs' mess on pavements, which seems to be getting worse."

At the end of the consultation period, the council will consider any feedback it has received and the new by-laws will go back to its environment committee to decide if any changes need to be made and when the new orders will come into force.

Guide dogs will be exempt from all the dog control orders.