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 This page gives you information on
the problems of Dog Fouling.
Please also see: frequently asked questions
about dogs
Dog Fouling
According to recent surveys the waste left behind by dogs is the single
biggest environmental concern that people have about their local area.
The overwhelming majority of people (95% of those questioned) find dog
waste unacceptable. With an estimated 4 and a half million 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’.
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Health Risks
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. The most damaging of these is
caused by the roundworm Toxocara canis. The eggs of this parasite are
present in much dog waste and although initially not infectious, once
the eggs hatch they pose serious health risks to any individual unlucky
enough to ingest infected soil. The effects of Toxocariasis range from
mild flu like symptoms that often go undiagnosed to a more worrying form
that affects the eye and can lead to permanent blindness. The risks to
health from Toxocara infection can be limited by always washing your hands
after coming into contact with any soil and ensuring that dogs are wormed
regularly, particularly puppies and lactating bitches.
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 Responsibility
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 new tricks! As a responsible
dog owner you should not allow your dog to go out without supervision,
as being unaware of your dog fouling is no defence, it is also possible
that the Councils’ dog wardens could seize your dog. For further
information see our frequently asked questions about dogs.
Cleaning Up
When out with your dog you should always be prepared to clean up if your
dog defecates. Dog waste bags are easily carried and readily available
from most pet stores and vets. Plastic carrier bags can be re-used for
the same purpose. Dog waste wrapped in this way can be disposed of in
any ordinary litter bin or red dog waste bin. If no litter bins are available
the waste should be taken home and placed with normal household waste.
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Legislation
The Dogs (Fouling
of Land) Act 1996 enables authorities to designate land upon which
it is an offence to allow a dog to defecate. Within the County Borough
of Wrexham designated land includes all land open to the air on at least
one side and to which the public have access with or without payment.
In practice this includes such areas as parks, paved areas, recreation
grounds, bus shelters and almost all open land of any kind. There are
some exclusions to this which are:
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Land which is predominantly marshland, moor or heath; and rural
common land.
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Land used for commercial woodland or agriculture
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Land adjacent to a carriageway with a speed limit of 40 mph or more.
If a dog defecates on designated land and the person in charge of the
dog fails to clean it up immediately then that person will be guilty of
an offence unless
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The person in charge of the dog is registered as a blind person
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The owner or person having control of the land has consented to
the faeces being left
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The person in charge of the dog removes the waste by placing it,
suitably wrapped in a litter bin or dog waste bin.
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The person in charge of the dog has a reasonable excuse for not
picking it up.
The following statements are frequently heard when individuals
are challenged about dog fouling and are included as examples of what
is NOT a reasonable excuse:
“I normally pick it up but today I haven’t got any bags”
“My bags are in my other jacket”
“I don’t see any signs nearby”
“It’s not on the path so its not a nuisance to anybody”
“There isn’t a bin nearby”
“I didn’t see my dog do it, he was too far away”
“You can’t expect a dog to read the signs (!)”
“She’s not my dog, I’m just looking after her.”
The above list is by no means exhaustive but is typical of the reasons
given by people caught allowing their dogs to foul. None of the above
are accepted as ‘reasonable excuses’. For more information
see the frequently asked questions section of this site.
When an offence is committed the individual in charge of the dog can
be prosecuted and face a fine of up to £1000. In many cases the
individual is given the option of paying a fixed penalty currently set
at £75 which discharges any further liability.
See also: www.defra.gov.uk
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