At a glance
In the UK, it’s illegal for dog owners not to clean up their dog’s waste in public areas.
There are a few exemptions, including for registered blind people.
You can be fined up to £100 for dog fouling offences in England and Wales, or £80 in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Dog excrement can cause toxocariasis, leading to serious health issues.
What is the law on dog fouling in the UK?
Dog fouling in public places in England and Wales is included in the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, introduced in 2014.
This gives local authorities the power to take action on dog fouling offences through Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs).
Councils decide which public places are covered by the law, but they typically include:
Roads, pavements and public footpaths
Parks and green spaces
Town centres and shopping precincts
Car parks
Playing fields, playgrounds and school grounds.
If you visit your local council’s website, they should have information about any PSPOs in place, as well as details of any planned future PSPOs. There will usually be a map that shows the boundaries of the areas covered.
Dog fouling rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Similar laws apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland, where you’re also legally required to clean up dog mess in public spaces.
In Scotland, failure to remove dog poo is an offence under the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003. In Northern Ireland, dog fouling is covered by the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.
Like in England and Wales, local councils are responsible for enforcing the law.
What is the penalty for not cleaning up dog mess?
Under a PSPO, local authorities in England and Wales can issue you with a fixed penalty notice of up to £100 if you fail to clean up after your dog in public. If you don’t pay, the case could be taken to the local magistrates’ court, where you face a fine of up to £1,000.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland, you could be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £80 by your local council if you don’t clean up after your dog.
How should I dispose of dog mess?
If you walk your dog in a public place, make sure you take disposable bags with you.
Most councils provide dedicated dog bins so you can easily dispose of the bag. If there isn’t a dog bin around, double-bag it and put it in a general litter bin or take it home. Burying it or covering it up isn’t allowed. It must be removed.
The Forestry Commission even provides free poop bags at some of its sites to encourage dog owners to do the right thing.
How to report a dog fouling problem
If you have information about someone who refuses to clean up after their dog, you can report it to your local council.
With complaints to councils rising by 10% since the pandemic, dog fouling is an increasing problem in this country, research shows.
If you live in England or Wales and aren’t sure who to contact, enter your postcode on the GOV.UK website and they’ll connect you to the relevant local authority. Your council will be able to provide more information about how to report a dog fouling offence and what information you’ll need to provide.
Also, if you know of a public place littered with dog mess, you can ask your local council to clean it. This could lead to targeted patrols in problem areas or better signage to deter irresponsible behaviour.
What are the health risks of dog excrement?
Dog mess can contain the eggs of a type of roundworm known as the Toxocara worm.
Contact with contaminated soil or excrement can cause toxocariasis – an infection that can lead to breathing difficulties, seizures and even blindness. Dog mess can also transmit other bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli, as well as affect the quality of bathing water if left on beaches.
Children are most at risk, as they’re more likely to come into contact with soil, sand or grassy areas.
Cleaning up after your dog, making sure it’s regularly wormed and up to date with booster vaccinations will ensure your pet, you and others are protected against harmful and infectious diseases. Having pet insurance can also help cover the cost of vet treatments if your pet does fall ill.
FAQs
What information do I need to provide when I report dog fouling?
Your local council will be able to provide more information about how to report dog fouling in your area and what information you’ll need to provide. They’ll normally want to know details such as:
Where and when the fouling is taking place
How regularly it’s happening, if it’s a frequent occurrence
A description of the dog and its owner.
If a local officer witnesses a dog fouler in the act, they can issue an on-the-spot fine.
Are there any exceptions to the law on dog fouling in the UK?
Yes, people who are registered blind or have a physical disability that prevents them from cleaning dog mess up are not legally required to pick up their pooch’s poop.
In some cases, you may also be exempt if the landowner has consented to you not clearing up. But exemptions are up to individual councils.
Pleading ignorance and saying you were unaware your dog had fouled isn’t a valid excuse, according to the law. And neither is not having an appropriate poop bag with you.
What can I do if a neighbour’s dog poops in my garden?
A polite conversation with your neighbour can often resolve the matter. But, if not, you can report the issue to your local council’s environmental health department. If the fouling is persistent and poses a health hazard, they may be able to take action against the owner.
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Allie has spent her career helping people quickly understand complicated topics, to help them save money and focus on what matters. With almost 10 years’ experience writing, leading and managing content, she is an expert in personal finance and insurance products.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
Helen’s our resident home insurance expert, as the former Head of Home Insurance at Compare the Market. She's also experienced with car insurance and pet insurance from her previous roles across commercial, partnerships and as a freelance consultant, working with more than 100 insurers across a variety of insurance products.
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