Fines for Dog Walkers Not Carrying Poop Bags
A number of councils now fine or are proposing to fine dog walkers who are caught walking their dogs (or anyone else's dog) without carrying a poop bag or poop scoop. Anyone walking a dog in specified areas who fail to show that they are able to pick up their dog could face a £100 fine. Those failing to pay the £100 fine within 7 days face prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.
Anyone walking a dog in specified areas would be expected to have a 'means to pick up' dog waste unless they had a 'reasonable excuse'. People who are blind, deaf or have mobility issues that mean they cannot carry "everyday objects" would be exempt from the rules.
Kennel Club Secretary Caroline Kisko points out that responsible owners may be penalised unfairly if they are approached to prove their 'means to pick up' after they have already used the bags to clean up their dog's waste.
"Furthermore, just because someone is in possession of a poo bag or scoop does not mean they will actually use it, so the irresponsible minority could quite easily get around this type of rule."
Some councils such as Manchester are also considering a ban on people walking more than four dogs at one time on any public land.
The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime And Policing Act empowers councils to create Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) to tackle problems linked to dogs, litter, alcohol or any other local scourge.
The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 states that a person is committing an offence if their dog defecates and they fail to remove the faeces. But under the new plans officers are able to take action before a dog has even defecated.
PSPOs don't just deal with dog fouling. Please see New Dog Walking Legislation for information about how PSPOs could go as far as to affect when and where you even walk your dog.
Have your say
Here you can find your Public Space Protection Order toolkit for England and Wales, and a Dog Control Order version for Northern Ireland.
Public Space Protection Order toolkit
Included is a template response letter for you to send to your local authority in response to a PSPO/DCO consultation to encourage the local authority to adopt a dog friendly approach when implementing an order.
The kit also includes awareness raising posters and flyers for you to hand out to dog friendly businesses and vet surgeries, plus an image that you can use on your social media profiles to help spread the word online.
By Jenny Prevel
© D for Dog www.dfordog.co.uk
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I think this is ridiculous. What happens if you have used your last poo bag whilst walking your dog home ? Also I don't see horse owners having to carry poo bags to clean up after their horse has defecated (and there is a lot more of that on our public highways than dogs faeces) Also farmers who walk their cattle along roads - are they going to be fined for not clearing up their cows faeces afterwards ... what about cat owners who allow their cats to defecate any where they choose too when are fines going to be introduced for them ?
So your proposition is that if you have used your last poo bag and your dog takes another poop, you should be absolved of all blame, and should be allowed to leave the delightful little present where it lands.
It is your responsibility to anticipate this event since you are a responsible dog owner.
You are still guilty mate, like it or not.
In urban areas, horse poo and (especially) cow poo are very very rarely encountered, but dog poo is. It is all over the place. Just open yours eyes
Dog poo is actual quite nasty to humans, horse manure isn’t ( which of why people use horse manure on their vegetables and plants and don’t scatter dog poo all over them! Horse waste is between 70 percent and 80 percent water, which is quickly absorbed into the ground, The solids in horse poop are mainly grass and other vegetation, which break down in about six days. Plus, horses do not carry viruses and other pathogens that pose risks to humans. Cat poo however is dangerous ( I have 3 dogs and a house cat - clean up after my dogs and my cat doesn’t make a mess anywhere but in his litter tray )
I always pick up my dog's poo and other dogs if I see it. Perhaps if the councils should be sorting out the people that drop litter every where. Last week our pup found 2 used and full nappies in the park. The foreshore is often covered in litter and food. The field with a skate park is often covered in broken glass.
I think it's a great idea I always clean up after my dog I did myself run out of poop bags so I went and asked for a bag to go back and clean it up I know how loads of bags on me and I get fed up being not allowed in some charity shops as they allow working guide dogs in there shops mines well behaved too one of the other replies said why not pick up horse pooh well cause it's organic and not all over the pavements come on Britain it's a mess get it cleaned up for you own a dog it gives good dog owners a bad name
As a dog owner Iam disgusted that other dog owners either dont clean up after their dog or bag it then throw the bag as soon as they are out of sight of any witness’s but I am just as disgusted at the number of people who litter the streets and countryside. These people are not all brainless idiots either !
Best news ever, take 10 bags a time lol no excuse . I think if they are caught a second time they get fined an extra 50.00 too ..If you have a dog take a bag simple not rocket science