'They are breaking the law so deserve a fine' - 13 things you said about dog fouling in Sunderland

Only five fines were given out in the city last year.

In an online poll, 94% of those who voted said that more fines should be issued by the authority, following the news that only five fixed penalty notices were issued in a year. These were handed out between June 2017 and June 2018. Eighty-one warning letters were also issued.

The council's Conservative group has also called for more fines, saying that many families in the city complain about the minority of irresponsible dog walkers not picking up after their pet.

Here's how you reacted to the story on social media:

Deb Edmundson: "I've got dogs and ALWAYS pick up after them. The councils need to be tougher. There also needs to be more poo bins."

Pat Ross: "There should be tougher fines. I live next to a large field in Farringdon, which is sometimes played on by the local kids.

You've been sharing your views on social media.

"For every responsible dog owner who clear up after their pets, there are plenty who don't."

John Henry: "No warning letters. Just fine them. Society gives far too many second chances to people who are not bothered."

Joanandjohn Allan: "Here in Scotland they actually fine on the spot for dog droppings. Food dropped or litter.all by the wardens. We are no longer terrorised by seagulls in the town centre.

"Our streets are free of litter and cigarette ends as you can be fined for not disposing of them safely. Take note. If you act and use pressure it does work."

Dawn Hume: "Most of the grass in our local park is covered in dog mess it's disgusting lazy dog owners not cleaning up after their dogs, also the 'stray' dogs that are let out alone to mess up the paths then go back to were they live."

Suzanne Jones: "Sunderland only seem to care about the areas which draw the visitors, Seaburn etc those areas are pristine compared to the dog [mess] and rubbish around Millfield, Barnes etc.

"I saw a street sweeper in my street for the first time in years 2 month ago, it came for 2 weeks in a row, haven't seen it since. Stricter fines should be dished out, people know they're not, so they simply don't care. No pride for where they live!"

Norma Gowland: "Backhouse Park is immaculate, no dog poo anywhere, well not that I've seen on my many walks. Lots of responsible dog walkers/owners."

John Quinn: "Scrap the warning letters and go straight for fines & persistent offenders should have the dog removed from them."

Elaine Davidson: "They are breaking the law so deserve a fine."

Tracey J Burlinson-Campbell: "I pick my dog poo up, but there needs to be more bins around."

Brian Watson: "If people can't be bothered to clean up their dog droppings, they don't deserve to have one."

Stuart Pearson: "Bairns playing footy and all over the pitches dog mess, putting politely it's not hard to pick up."

John Stoker: "Where are the dog wardens?"