THE forthcoming local elections may well be fought over national issues such as the EU.

However, surely the problem of dog fouling is the most pressing local issue?

The dog licence should be reintroduced and set at a realistic rate, say £50 per dog-owning household, in order that wardens can be employed to enforce the law and make recalcitrant dog owners clean up after their pets.

Any surplus money raised could be used on an education campaign to make all dog owners aware of the health hazards posed by some of their number not complying with the law and cleaning up dog mess.

I recognize that a dog is a wonderful companion, particularly to people on their own, and indeed I do not blame the dogs for the present crisis.

The real culprits are the irresponsible dog owners, who I am sure are the minority of owners.

To those councillors who say their is no money to tackle the issue, I say that my plan would finance itself.

Alan Keating by email