This fine can shoot up to £1,000 if the matter is taken to court
Dog owners are reminded that one common mistake while walking could result in an on-the-spot fine. You could be charged £100 for failing to clean up after your pet.
Dogs really are man’s best friend in the UK, with an estimated 13 million pooches living across the nation. While they may be fun and loyal pet, they also come with a series of responsibilities.
One such responsibility is scooping up and disposing of their poo. Leaving this out could actually be a public health problem.
Keep Britain Tidy explained: “Dog fouling – whether loose or bagged – is offensive, disgusting and a potential health hazard. Dog fouling is not only deeply unpleasant, but also dangerous with the potential to cause toxocariasis – a nasty infection that can lead to dizziness, nausea, asthma and even blindness or seizures.
“While most dog owners are caring, responsible individuals, there are still some people who do not clean up after their pets. And with an estimated 13 million dogs in the UK, just a small proportion of people not doing the right thing leads to a deluge of dog waste in the streets and parks.”
However, this behaviour can also prove costly. In England and Wales you could face a £100 on-the-spot fine if caught. This comes under what is known as a Public Spaces Protection Orders.
On the Government website, it says: “Some public areas in England and Wales are covered by Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) – previously called Dog Control Orders (DCOs).”
In public areas with PSPOs, you may have to:
- Keep your dog on a lead
- Put your dog on a lead if told to by a police officer, police community support officer or someone from the council
- Stop your dog going to certain places – like farmland or parts of a park
- Limit the number of dogs you have with you (this applies to professional dog walkers too)
- Clear up after your dog
- Carry a poop scoop and disposable bags
If you ignore a PSPO, you can be fined:
- £100 on the spot (a ‘Fixed Penalty Notice’)
- Up to £1,000 if it goes to court
Local councils must let the public know where PSPOs are in place. For example, if dogs are not allowed in a park, there must be signs saying so.
“If the council plans to put a new PSPO in place, it must put up a notice and publish it on its website,” GOV.UK says. Residents are also encouraged to report cases of dog fouling to your local council here.
