Dog Fouling
Dog fouling is unpleasant, harmful to health, and a problem that affects everyone in our community. While most dog owners act responsibly, failing to clean up after a pet can cause serious risks, especially to children, and creates an unsightly environment in our streets, parks, and public spaces. This page explains your responsibilities as a dog owner, the health dangers linked to dog mess, and the enforcement action we take to keep our area clean and safe for all.
Further information:
Dog faeces can contain bacteria that can make people sick, or the eggs of the roundworm Toxocara Canis. If these are ingested they can make people very ill and the roundworm can cause blindness in children. Dogs should be wormed four times a year. Children should not play around runs/kennels, should always have their hands washed before eating and should be prevented from putting grass in their mouths. Always use separate dishes for your dog and wash them up separately and you should not share food with your dog. However, there are no health risks to you from immediately clearing up after your dog as the eggs of the Toxocara worm take over two weeks to hatch and become active.
Encourage your dog to foul on your property before/after the walk. Always carry something to clear up after your dog. If your dog fouls in a public place then put a bag over your hand and pick it up with your protected hand. Turn the bag inside out around the faeces and tie a knot in the top of the bag. Deposit it in a dog waste bin (if you are not sure where these are, contact us or your Town/Parish Council) or take it home and put it in your dustbin.
How can the public help to prevent dog fouling?
If there are areas that are badly fouled, please let the Council’s Street Scene teams know so that they can deal with them. The Council’s Street Scene teams may be able to cleanse public areas that are badly fouled. Please see contact details below.