Dog Fouling

The Problem

Have you ever stepped in dog faeces? If the answer is yes, you will probably agree that it is smelly and difficult to remove from shoes. Dog faeces is not only unpleasant but is also potentially harmful.

In public health terms, dog faeces can contain the parasitic Toxocara worm which if transferred to humans can hatch in the intestine and burrow through the gut wall. Toxocariasis can also take an ocular form whereby worm larva becomes trapped in the eye which can cause visual impairment and possible blindness. It is thought that children are at a higher risk of developing Toxocariasis, as they are more likely to come into contact with soil or sand that contains faeces. Cases of Toxocariasis have also been found in sportspeople where dog faeces have been left on recreational play areas and sports pitches.

The Message

The majority of dog owners are responsible and do pick up after their pets, but a small and persistent minority choose to ignore the rules. Dog owners are encouraged to bag their dog’s mess and dispose of it safely and for those that continue to ignore the rules, a Fixed Penalty Notice may be issued by a Dog Warden or a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO).

Often dog fouling is caused by people not watching their dog and not realising that it has fouled. If you own a dog you are responsible for it, whether it’s on or off the lead. Be aware of where your dog is and what it’s doing at all times.

Break the Rules, Pay the Price

The Fixed Penalty Notice charge for dog fouling previously set by the Council was £50 which has now been raised to £75, with a £25 reduction available if payment of the Notice is made within 7 days. Fixed Penalty Notices will be issued as an alternative to prosecution and should a prosecution be pursued by the Council, offenders could face a maximum fine of £1,000.

Those owners that bag the mess but don’t bin it (i.e. they dispose of the bag in a hedge, a tree or a garden and by doing so are littering) could face a maximum penalty of £2,500 for a littering offence.

The council’s Dog Wardens can issue Fixed Penalty Notices for dog fouling and littering, so be a responsible dog owner… bag it and bin it.

Take a Stand

To report an incident of dog fouling contact Community Protection using the details at the top right of this page.

Tips

The Bay Team’s top tips for being dog savvy are:

• Where possible dispose of dog faeces in a designated dog waste bin.
• If you can’t find a dog bin, bag your pet’s faeces and take it home for disposal.
• If no other option is available, pick up any mess and seal it well using a bag which can then be carefully placed in a standard public litter bin.

To find out more check out the fact sheets available on our Downloads page