The Council has two animal wardens who promote responsible dog ownership. They can issue fixed penalty dog fouling notices to dog owners who allow their dogs to foul public land.
Contact Details | Online Services | |
Phone: | 024 7637 6405 | |
Fax: | 024 7637 6214 | |
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Service Unit: | Regeneration and Public Protection | |
Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council operates a ZERO tolerance policy on dog fouling.
There are no excuses, dog fouling is unacceptable.
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 4.5 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"....
What you need to tell us if you witness dog fouling:
- The day, date, location and time that the incident occurred
- A description of the person in charge of the dog at the time the incident occurred
- A description of the dog that they were walking
- If they arrived in a vehicle a description of the vehicle
- How far away you were when the incident occurred
- What kind of view you had
Legislation
Under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, owners MUST clear up after their dogs on all land to which the public have access, with the exception of Forestry Commission land where their own rules apply. Failure to clear up after your dog can result in a £50 fixed penalty notice.
If the fine is not paid the case will be taken to court. When an offence is committed the individual in charge of the dog can be prosecuted and face a fine of up to £1000.
When walking your dog, always carry a "poop scoop" or suitable receptacle to pick up your dog's faeces. These can be put in a dog waste bin or taken home for disposal. If this is not possible, ensure it is wrapped and place in an ordinary litter bin.
Health Risks
Dog waste is not only extremely unpleasant and unwelcome it is also the perfect breeding ground for bacteria (campylobacter and salmonella) and other forms of infection. The most damaging of these is caused by the roundworm toxocara canis.
The eggs of this parasite are present in most dog waste and although initially not infectious, once the eggs hatch they pose serious health risks to any individual unlucky enough to ingest infected soil.
The effects of toxocariasis range from mild flu-like symptoms that often go undiagnosed to a more worrying form that affects the eye and can lead to permanent blindness.
The risks to health from toxocara infection can be limited by always washing your hands after coming into contact with any soil and ensuring that dogs are wormed regularly particularly puppies and lactating bitches.
Responsibility
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 not allow your dog to go out without supervision, as being unaware of your dog fouling is no defence.
Helpful Tips
If you have a garden encourage the dog to 'go' there. You can then bury the mess or alternatively clean it up and bin it.
- If you walk your dog always carry the means to clear up after your dog. A simple plastic carrier bag will do the trick or obtain poop scoops from a local pet shop. Remember to take a bag or poop scoop like you would remember a lead.
- Every time your dog fouls "bag it and bin it". Take the poop scoop home and dispose of it there. Remember rain does not wash the problem away.
- Never let your dog out alone to "go to the loo".
- It is every dog owner's duty to clean up after their dog.
How to Report
- Use the online service from this page.
- Please specify the location and other details.
- The team will investigate the incident.
- Appropriate action will be taken against offenders where possible.
