Dog
Fouling
Newham Council welcomes
responsible dog owners however, a small minority of dog owners do
not take their responsibilities for their dog seriously.
This means that some dog mess is not cleared up and a
small number of dogs roam out of control. This annoys and even
frightens some people and can threaten wildlife.
Dog fouling is not only a nuisance but can also be a danger,
particularly to young children, as it can lead to serious illnesses
such as Toxocariasis (round worm infection). Dog mess is also
carried into peoples' homes on shoes and the tyres of prams and
wheelchairs. In surveys local residents have told us that this is a
real issue for them.
Newham Council adopted the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 to cover
all land in the borough which is open to the air and to which the
public are allowed or permitted to have access these
include:
- Pavements
- Parks
- Roads
- Open Spaces
- Footbridges
- Amenity Areas
- Footpaths
- Shopping Precincts
- Grass Verges
- Car Parks
- Playing Fields
The law does not apply to the following:
- Land comprised in or running alongside a highway where the
speed limit is over 40mph.
- Land used for agriculture or woodland.
- Land which is permanently marshland, moor or heath.
- Rural common land.
Pet owners who let their dog foul the pavement risk a fixed penalty
charge of £50, although the offence carries a penalty of a fine up
to £1,000 (plus costs) if prosecuted through the court. It is not
an acceptable defence to claim ignorance of the dog's actions or
that you did not carry means to dispose of the fouling at the time.
Failure to give an authorised officer your name and address on
request in relation to dog fouling is an offence which may lead to
a further fine of £1,000 plus costs.
The owner will have the opportunity to pay the fixed penalty and
thereby avoid conviction. The notice must be paid to Newham Council
within 14 days or, alternatively, if the fixed penalty is not paid,
the offender may be prosecuted and if found guilty of the offence,
fined a maximum of £1,000.
What you can do
- If you have a garden encourage your 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 bag will do the trick or obtain poop
scoops from a local pet shop. Remember to take a bag or poop scoop
like you'd 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.
If someone local is persistently letting their dog foul your street
or open space, please call
020 8430 2000 or use our
online form to report it.