Animal fouling

Every day dogs leave excrement on footways and public open spaces. Not only is it unsightly and a nusiance when you step in it, but contact can also lead to blindness due to an infection called 'Toxocara canis'.

The Dog (fouling of land) Act 1996

It is illegal to fail to clear up after your dog when it fouls any land which is open to the air and to which the public have access.

The penalty for this offence is a fixed fine of £50 or a prosecution and fine up to £2,000.

The Council has designated all footways, highways and public open spaces across the city under this act.

Solutions

• If you have a garden encourage your dog to 'go' there. You can always then bury the mess or clean it up and bin it.
• When you walk your dog always have at hand a poop scoop or simply a plastic bag.
• Every time your dog fouls "bag it and bin it".

It is every dog owners duty to clean up after their dog.

Further information

More information about dog related issues is provided elsewhere on this site.