Only 16 people have been fined for failing to clean up their dog’s mess in the last three years – despite Swale council receiving 157 tip-offs about the offence.

Those caught were fined up to £80, including six in Sittingbourne, six in Sheppey and four in Faversham, according to figures released from a Freedom of Information request.

Council dog warden Tim Oxley said the council was on the verge of unveiling a pilot scheme where bins across the borough would be fitted with dog waste bags as part of the efforts to curb the problem.

He said: “To issue fixed penalty notice we have to catch the dog fouling and that person walking away.”

The council confirmed it had recovered £760 from those caught failing to clean up after their dogs between 2012 and this year.

This included 10 fines of £60 and two of £80, with the rest dropped after appeal or the person being unable to be traced.

Fines can be issued by PCSOs, street wardens and animal control officers.

Mr Oxley said: “I don’t think 16 is low. The percentage of people that don’t pick up after their dogs is small.”

He said the pilot scheme would be funded by advertising on bins.

A spokesman for Keep Britain Tidy, which calls pet faeces the most unacceptable litter, said the charity encouraged councils to take an educational approach.

This includes highlighting the disease risks posed by dog mess to both humans and other pets.