Durham County Council is seeking to introduce a new Dog Control Order, which would make it an offence for people to allow their dogs to foul areas of land identified within the order.

Offenders will face an £80 penalty, with a reduction to £50 if paid within 14 days.

If agreed, the order will apply to all areas of public land and footpaths in the county, with the exception of Forestry Commission and agricultural land and areas of woodland, moorland, marshland and heath.

The council's cabinet agreed to begin the process for introducing the new Dog Control Order, which will be termed the Fouling of Land by Dogs (County of Durham) Order 2009.

The new order will replace the existing schemes in each of the district council areas, where levels of fines and enforcement vary.

Coun Bob Young, cabinet member for the environment, said: "This new order will seek to ensure that dog owners behave responsibly by cleaning up after their pets."

Councillors will consider any responses from the public before making a final decision.