Dogs

A dog

Dogs are an integral part of any rural community, and North Marston has many sensible dog owners.

So it is disappointing that the Parish Council has received a number of complaints recently about a seeming increase in dog fouling in the village. Clearly a small minority of dog owners are not acting responsibly.

Dog fouling – the facts

According to recent surveys the waste left behind by dogs is the single biggest environmental concern that people have about the local area. The overwhelming majority of people find dog waste unacceptable. With an estimated 4.5 million dog owners allowing their pets to foul and around 1000 tonnes of dog waste produced daily in the UK, there is a clear need to raise awareness of the need to 'pick up the problem'.

Dog waste is not only an extremely unpleasant and unwelcome commodity; it is also the perfect breeding ground for bacteria (Campylobacter and Salmonella) and other forms of infection.

Every dog owner should be aware that it is their legal requirement to clean up the waste left behind by their dog. The most straightforward means of controlling dog waste is to train the dog to go at home. Training is best accomplished in young dogs but effective training can be given to a dog of any age. You can teach an old dog not tricks! As a responsible dog owner you should always be in sight and in control of your dog – being unaware of your dog's fouling is not a defence against prosecution.

FAQs

Why is dog fouling an offence?

It is an offence under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 if a dog defecates on designated land and the person in charge of the dog does not remove the faeces from the land without reasonable excuse.

Why should I bother clearing up after my dog?

Apart from making areas unpleasant for its users, dog faeces can be harmful to human health. An infection called Toxocara canis can be caught from dog faeces. However, it is rare. Owning a dog carries a great responsibility, and it is every owner's duty to clean up after their dog. There are no excuses – not clearing up is unacceptable.

What is Toxocara canis?

It is a rare infection which can be transmitted through dog faeces. However, the eggs of the worm take over two weeks to hatch and do not provide any immediate health risks if you clear up immediately after your dog. It is a rare infection –, only about 5% of dogs tested were found to expel the worm eggs. However, the eggs can lay dormant in the ground for up to three years if the conditions are right. The potential harm to human health from this infection is quite high and can cause blindness in some cases.

How can I avoid any health risks?

There is not a risk to your health if you clean up after your dog immediately. Eggs from Toxocara worm take two to three weeks to become infectious, and land will only become contaminated after this time. If dog owners immediately clean up after their dogs the threat of Toxocariasis would be virtually eradicated.

What is the best way to clean up after my dog?

The best method is to use a doggy bag or carrier bag to pick up the faeces. Ideally, this should then be placed in a dog bin. If this is not possible, take the bag home and place it in an outside bin.

What can I expect to happen if I am found not to be clearing up after my dog?

If you are found to be allowing your dog to defecate and not clearing up after it, you will be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice. You can be issued up to three Notices and any further reports will be followed up through the Courts.

Are there any exceptions from the Fixed Penalty Notice?

The main exception to this legislation is for a blind person in charge of a dog which is being used for that person's guidance. There are no specific exceptions for the partially sighted, the elderly or the infirm, or for persons under the age of 16.

Am I responsible if I am walking some else's dog that fouls?

Yes; the legislation applies to 'the person in charge of the dog' and may not necessarily be the owner of the dog. If you are caught allowing a dog to foul and not remove the waste, you are liable for the offence regardless of who actually owns the dog.

What can I do to stop people allowing their dogs to foul in my area?

It is easy to report an incident of dog fouling. However, there are a few simple rules to follow when reporting an incident:

  • Be as specific as possible when describing where the incident occurred.
  • If you see the incident occurring, do not approach the persons involved.
  • If you see a person/vehicle involved in an environmental crime, take as many details as you can.
  • Provide us with a specific description of the dog(s) involved.
  • Please supply us with your contact details. These will be needed when processing Fixed Penalty Notices or, in some cases, court proceedings.

We are only able to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice based on the information you provide. If required, are you willing to provide a witness statement and/or attend Court in the event of subsequent legal action?

Dog fouling – facts and figures

  • Estimates put the current UK dog population at between 6.5 and 7.4 million, all of which produce around a 1000 tonnes of faeces every day.
  • In just a week the UK dog population would fill three Olympic sized swimming pools full of faeces.
  • Local authorities in the UK receive approximately 226,000 complaints about dog fouling every year.
  • Currently there are around 1.2 million dog bins in Britain.
  • The cost, of clearing up of after dogs, to British taxpayers is around £2.3 million every year.

A recent survey by Keep Britain Tidy found that 67% of the public think that dog owners who persistently let their dogs foul should be banned from owning a canine.

The Law

The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Order 2003 applies to all land to which the public has access. It allows the local authority to prosecute irresponsible dog owners if they do not clear up after their dog, after allowing it to foul in a designated area. Owners can be fined up to £1000 if they fail to comply.

Designated areas include:

  • all carriageways with a speed limit of 40mph less, and adjoining footpaths and verges
  • all parks, recreation grounds, sports grounds/pitches and open spaces owned, maintained and/or controlled by the District, Town or Parish Councils
  • open grassed areas located adjacent to areas of residential housing
  • public Rights of Way
  • canal towpaths and reservoir footpaths
  • church yards and cemeteries
  • allotments
  • public car parks and pedestrianised areas
  • plus a number of specially designated areas across the Vale.