Dog and Animal Fouling

Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 1995 it is your responsibility to clean up after a dog you are walking, whether a bin is available to deposit the waste in or not.

“Any Bin will do"

The Council promotes  “Any Bin will Do” so dog waste can be deposited in any bin provided by the Council around the City. If there are no bins in the immediate area take it home and dispose of it. It is therefore essential when walking your dog that you take plenty of dog poo bags with you.

Failure to pick up can result in a £70 on the spot fine but can cost up to £1,000 if the case goes to court. Many people are now training their dogs to 'go at home' which is acceptable and much easier for the dog owner as well.

 Report Animal Fouling

What if I have run out of bags when I am out and about?

If you are caught short, ask a fellow dog walker for one – most will happily oblige. Alternatively, if you are walking in Gheluvelt Park or Perdiswell free dog poo bags are available in the Pump House and the Leisure Centre. There really is no excuse!

What if I spot someone else not picking up after their dog?

As a dog owner it is in your interest that people who flout the law do not get away with it and give all dog owners a bad name. You can do the following:-

• Offer the person one of your dog poo bags. This may shame them in to picking it up and make them aware that it hasn't gone unnoticed.
• If they are aggressive to you or are regular walkers you can report them to the Civil Enforcement Team via the Customer Services Team on 01905 722233

You'll need to tell us:

• where the owner and dog live
• what the owner looks like and the type of dog
• location, time and date of the incidents

My neighbourhood has a dog fouling problem, what can I do?

• Report incidents of animal fouling
• Telephone the Customer Services Team on 01905 722233
• Report to PooWatch

PooWatch

PooWatch is a free web app for smartphones, tablets and personal computers.

You can use it to record any dog litter spotted in the city. The information they provide will help identify dog litter hotspots so action can be targeted in areas of greatest need.  

The web app – which is free to access – will use GPS locaters to provide a simple and easy way for people to report dog mess and will help create an interactive map of the city showing the worst affected areas. It also shows the nearest poo bin to your location.

Facts about dog fouling

• Dogs of the UK produce a total of 1,000 tonnes of excrement each day.
• The biggest threat to public health from dog excrement is toxocariasis. The eggs of the parasite roundworm toxocara canis can be found in soil or sand contaminated with faeces and if swallowed, result in infection. Symptoms include eye disorders, vague ache, dizziness, nausea, asthma and, in extremely rare cases, seizures/fits. Infected soil samples are often found in play areas and as a result, toxocariasis most commonly affects children between 18 months and five years of age.
• Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 1995 it is the dog walkers responsibility to clean up after it, whether a bin is available or not.
• Failure to pick up can result in a £70 on the spot fine. The fine can rise to £1,000 if the case is taken to court.
• Being unaware that the dog has fouled, or not having a suitable means of removing the faeces is not a reasonable excuse for failing to clean up after your dog.