You can be fined up to £1000 for not clearing up after you dog, can you afford not to?
Frequently Asked Questions
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 owner, without reasonable excuse, does not remove the faeces from the land.
So where should I clear up after my dog?
The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Order 2003 applies to all land to which the public have access, subject to the following exemptions;.
Carriageways with a speed limit of more than 40 mph.Land used for agriculture or woodland.Land which is predominantly marshland, heath or moor.Rural common land.
Why should I bother clearing up after my dog?
Apart for 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 where 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 no risk to your health if you clean up after your dog immediately. Eggs from Toxocara worm take 2-3 weeks to become infectious, and land will only become contaminated after this time. If dog owners immediately cleaned 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, and then this should ideally be placed in a dog bin. If this is not possible then the bag should be taken home and placed in an outside bin.
What can I expect to happen if I’m found not to be clearing up after my dog?
If you are found to allowing your dog to defecate and not clearing up after it, then you will be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice. You can be issued with up to three notices, and any further reports will be followed through the Courts.
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 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’...
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 new 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.
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 1,000 tonnes of faeces every day.
In just a week the UK’s dog population would fill 3 Olympic size 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 to British taxpayers of clearing up after dogs is around £2.3 million every year.
Useful Links
Dog Ban Areas - View dog ban areas within west Norfolk
Dog Waste Bins - Dog waste bins within west Norfolk
Leash Orders - Designated leash order areas within west Norfolk
Dog Fouling - The consequences of dog fouling in west Norfolk
Lost/found dogs - What to do if you lose your dog in West Norfolk or find a stray dog.
The above links provided for by the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk
Flying the Flag...
