Complaints about dogs have risen nearly 20 per cent prompting a drive to educate canine owners.

Southend Council is planning to launch a campaign aimed at responsible dog ownership after the setting up of a working party on the contentious issue.

Last year the council received 334 complaints about dogs, compared to 281 in 1988.

The majority of gripes are about persistent barking and dogs fouling.

The problem of dog mess has proved a major concern to Southend residents and featured heavily in the council's Quality of Life survey.

It is hoped to be addressed as part of a good dog owner campaign under the current Millennium Makeover initiative.

Southend Council's head of environmental services David Connor said: "The rise in complaints can be attributed to the fact that we now have an out of hours service.

"Before people may have had to wait until the following morning to report a barking dog and they may not get around to it. Now they can pick up the phone straight away.

"People are also less inclined to put up with nuisance dogs.

"Another factor is people will come to the council to complain before approaching a neighbour about the problem.

"If we speak to somebody about a barking dog then usually the problem is resolved.

"Occasionally it goes further and last year a dog did have to be seized but this is a rare incidence."

In the past ten years 158 dog owners have been reported and 87 people have been successfully prosecuted in the magistrates court.

The council has operated a dog warden service since 1983, primarily responsible for the seizure and impounding of strays and controlling of bylaws.

Southend Council is currently searching for a new warden following the death of Laurie McKenna, a former police dog handler. Currently Acres Way kennel of Daws Heath Road, Thundersley, is rounding up strays on request to cover the vacant position.

However, the street patrol could not be kept up and the bylaw enforcement has fallen by the wayside. This will resume once a dog warden is appointed.

The rise in complaints increased last year after a previous reduction. A best value review is being undertaken to see the best way forward and is expected to be completed by January 2001.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.