Dog fouling
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North
Each day dogs produce vast amounts of excrement. Much of this is left on footpaths and playing fields, at best can cover shoes and clothes, and at worst can lead to blindness due to an infection called 'Toxocara canis'.
Council's can now designate land under The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. The designated land includes roads, footpaths, school playing fields, sports fields and parks. It is an offence for a dog owner not to clean up after their dog in these areas. Failure to comply can result in a prosecution and fine up to £1000. It is no defence to claim ignorance of the dog's actions.
Solutions
- If you have a garden encourage the dog to 'go' there. You can then bury the mess or alternatively clean it up and bin it.
- If you walk your dog always carry the means to clear up after your dog. A simple plastic bag will do the trick or obtain poop scoops from a local pet shop. Remember to take a bag or poop scoop, as you would remember a lead.
- Every time your dog fouls "bag it and bin it". Take the poop scoop home and dispose of it there. Remember Rain does not wash the problem away.
- Never let your dog out alone to "go to the loo".
- It is dog owner’s duty to clean up after their dog. There are no excuses, fouling is unacceptable and a serious health hazard to children.
- Contact with canine excrement can lead to blindness due to an infection called 'Toxocara canis'.
To report a 'doggy bin' that requires emptying, please follow on the link below:
Report a 'doggy bin' that needs to be emptied
(Choose the main category 'Rubbish, Waste & Recycling' and the sub-category 'Animal - fouling' and complete the on-line form).
Contact Details
Email: wasteandrecyclingnorth@wiltshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01249 706111
Postal Address:
Wiltshire Council
Monkton Park
Chippenham
SN15
1ER
In Person:
Wiltshire Council
Monkton Park
Chippenham
SN15
1ER
Some services differ based on where you live. Why is this?
South
About this service
A person in charge of a dog must remove the faeces straight away if the dog has defecated in an area where the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 applies. Otherwise they are contravening the Law and could be subject, on conviction, to a penalty of up to £1000.
You will need
- Name, address and telephone number
- Location where fouling has taken place
- Date and time of incident
- Breed and colour of dog if known
- Name and address of owner if known
Forms
Contact Details
Email: publicprotectionsouth@wiltshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01722 434319 or 01722 434320
Postal Address:
Environmental Services
Wiltshire Council
PO
Box 2126
Salisbury
SP2 2DJ
In Person:
Wiltshire Council
27-29 Milford Street
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP1
2AP
Some services differ based on where you live. Why is this?
East
The legislation governing dog fouling changed in April 2006 when the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 became law.
“Why is it such a big deal if I don’t clear up after my dog? Plenty of other people don’t bother.”
Dog mess can contain a number of things which can make people ill. The main infection being toxocara canis, which is a roundworm. If the eggs of this worm are swallowed it can result in a range of symptoms from aches and pains to bronchial conditions. In rare cases, eyesight can be damaged so severally causing blindness.Toxocara eggs are not infectious until they embryonate. This is usually at least 2-3 weeks after they have been deposited by the dog. Therefore freshly deposited faeces are not infectious and you can safely clear up after your dog. However, if the faeces is left, the eggs can survive for two years or more, as they are resistant to freezing and disinfectants. Infection is from the soil and sand which has been contaminated by faeces carrying the eggs of the parasite.Random soil sampling shows that the majority of the parks in the UK are contaminated with Toxocara eggs in various stages of development.This risk of contamination can be reduced by:
- Worming your dog regularly
- Always clearing up after your dog
- Good hygiene practice
Penalties for not cleaning up after your dog
Dogs must not be allowed to foul footpaths, grass verges or public places.
All a dog owner needs to do is use a plastic bag to pick up the faeces and then place it in any bin. Kennet does not provide separate dog fouling bins so any bagged waste can be placed into any public litter bin.
People breaching the order may be issued with a fixed penalty notice set at £75 with a reduction to £50 if paid within 10 days of the date of the fine.
Officers authorised to issue fixed penalties also have the power to require the name and address of a person they wish to issue with a fixed penalty notice. In such cases failure to supply these details or to give a false name and address to an authorised officer is an offence for which a maximum fine of level 3 on the standard scale may be given upon conviction.
The fixed penalty is currently £1000
If your dog does foul there is no excuse not to clear up after them.
If you would like to make an enquiry, complaint or report relating to this service please contact us using the details below.
Contact Details
Email: customerserviceseast@wiltshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01380 734849
Postal Address:
Kennet House
Sergeant Rogers Way
Hopton Industrial
Estate
Devizes
SN10
2ET
In Person:
Wiltshire Council
Browfort
Bath Road
Devizes
Wiltshire
SN10
2AT
Some services differ based on where you live. Why is this?
West
Dog owners must, by law, pick up any mess made by their pets in public places. If you fail to do this and evidence is available, we can issue a fixed penalty notice for £80.
Always carry a ‘poop scoop’ or plastic bag with you to pick up any mess made by your dog. Dispose of used bags in proper dog waste bins or take them home to throw away in your rubbish bin.
If you regularly witness someone failing to clean up after their dog has fouled in a public place, you can report the incident to us. In order for us to take action, we need you to provide:
- Information about the location of the incidents
- The time when the problem occurs
- The type of dog involved
- Any description of the owner or person walking the dog
Dog bins in the district are included in the scheduled cleansing program, ensuring that they are ready to use when required. To report a problem with dog fouling, or if you notice that a bin is full, then please contact us.
Contact Details
Email: customerserviceswest@wiltshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01225 776655
Postal Address:
Wiltshire Council
Bradley Road
Trowbridge
BA14
0RD
In Person:
Wiltshire Council
Bradley Road
Trowbridge
BA14 0RD
Some services differ based on where you live. Why is this?
Last updated: 18 March 2010