Dog fouling
If you are a dog owner or walker then you must pick up your dog's mess if it fouls in areas open to the public. This is a legal requirement as described under the Public Spaces Protection Order (Dogs) 2020 (refer to this for exceptions to picking up dog foul). If you do not then you may be issued with a fixed penalty notice. If you do not pay the fixed penalty notice then you could be taken to court and fined up to £1,000. For details please see our Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) for dog walkers pages.
To report a problem contact Customer Services:
- to report dog foul that needs clearing
- if you have witnessed dog fouling and are willing to provide a witness statement
- if you think there is a need for a dog bin in a particular place
- to report a full or overflowing dog bin.
Dog bag dispensers
We are pleased to be working with Tikspac to provide a solution for dog walkers who find themselves without a bag. These dispenser stations provide a back up, remove any excuse not to clean up and are 100% biodegradable. A network of dispensers will be installed across West Suffolk.
The dispensers and bags are supplied free of charge as they are sponsored by companies. They are restocked by council operatives when emptying nearby bins and it is hoped that they will reduce the amount of dog fouling not cleared up and therefore reduce the amount of clearing up the council has to do.
If you notice that any of the dispensers need refilling, please let us know by contacting our Customer Services Team
Organisations
Some organisations, such as parish councils and others who are responsible for land that is used by the general public, may encounter a dog fouling issue. We have produced a toolkit, to help those affected understand and tackle this behaviour.
Steps you can take to reduce dog fouling in your neighbourhood
- Put up your own dog fouling sign if the problem is in the vicinity of your own property. There are many different designs available and the wording is, providing it is not too offensive, entirely up to you, or download and print a copy of the posters that we use:
- Speak to your neighbours. If you are having a problem with dog fouling then the chances are that they are as well. The more people watching out for it the more chance you have of catching the person responsible for it in the act.
- If you or anyone else is aware of who the individual is then please contact the council and provide as much information as possible. The information provided will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.
Evidence needed by the council
There is both formal and informal action that we can take:
- For us to take formal action, someone has to witness a dog foul and the person in charge of the dog at the time failing to clear it up. That person will need to give a witness statement and may be required to go to court on behalf of the council to provide evidence.
- If the person who reported the dog foul wishes to remain anonymous then we will take informal action such as sending a general warning letter or flyers to nearby houses.
Penalties for dog fouling
People who do not clean up after their dog can be given a fixed penalty notice. If they refuse to pay the fine, they can be prosecuted and may face a court appearance with a maximum penalty of £1,000. Registered blind dog owners are exempt from penalties.
Being unaware of the fouling, or not having the means to clear it up is not an excuse.
Request more 'no dog fouling' signs from the council
In public areas where there is a specific problem and there is a current lack of signage, we will look into the issue. We will then decide whether or not more signage will be helpful or if a different approach is needed. Alternatively you can download and print a copy of the signs that we use.
Health risks associated with dog fouling
Toxocara canis is a roundworm found in dogs. Roundworm eggs are found in dog faeces, which can easily be picked up by young children. This can result in stomach upsets, sore throats, asthma and in rare cases blindness. The eggs can remain active in the soil for many years, long after the dog mess has weathered away. The eggs do not mature until 2-3 weeks after they have been deposited in dog faeces, so prompt clearance reduces the risk of the illness being passed to humans.
How to clear up after you dog at home
There are three disposal methods we would recommend for dog waste from the home:
- most pet stores sell 'dog loos'. These are set into the ground and are supplied with a bio-activator to help break down dog faeces
- the dog waste can be buried in your garden
- the dog waste, if bagged can be placed in your black wheelie bin (household rubbish).