Council chiefs have launched a consultation exercise to seek views on the introduction of new legislation.

If given the go-ahead the changes would include a new order for owners to keep dogs on leads at all cemeteries in South Tyneside and in South Shields' South Marine Park.

In addition, an order would be introduced requiring people in control of a dog to immediately remove dog mess.

It is proposed that a new Fixed Penalty Notice of £80 for an offence of dog fouling be brought in. That amount would be reduced to £50 if paid within a specified number of days.

At a series of consultation roadshows over the summer the public has been invited to share their views on the proposed changes.

A spokesman for South Tyneside Council said: "It is intended that these new laws will replace existing legislation. The current laws are outdated, confusing and complicated as different rules apply to different areas.

"The laws do not reflect the cleaner society we live in. The new legislation allows the council to determine specific land to which each dog control order will apply. Essentially this will make the law of dog control much clearer, easier to understand and applicable to a wider area."

The moves come as a result of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. This enables the council to implement five offences for those in control of a dog.

The final consultation roadshow is to staged for East Shields residents at St Margaret's Church at The Nook on Thursday, August 21, from 10.30am to 6pm, but people have until the end of October to express their views on the changes.