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Dog and animal fouling

Dog fouling can cause a health hazard and is a source of concern for residents.

Dog fouling

Each day dogs produce vast amounts of excrement. Sometimes this is left on footpaths and at best can cover shoes and clothes and at worst can lead to blindness due to an infection called 'Toxocara canis'.

it is an offence if a person in charge of a dog does not pick up dog faeces on land designated in accordance with the Dogs Fouling of Land Act 1996. In Craven the designated areas are footpaths, roads, parks and land that the public has access to, with certain exemptions.

The designated areas are defined as:

All land within the District of Craven to which the Act applies, namely land which is in the open air (including, but not limited to, land which is covered but is open to at least one side) and to which the public have access with or without payment, with the exception of the five categories of land listed below:-

  1. Carriageways with a speed limit of more than 40 miles per hour and the land running alongside them
  2. Land used for agriculture
  3. Land used for woodlands (i.e. commercial woodland as opposed to woodland predominantly for other purposes)
  4. Land which is predominantly marsh land, moor or heath
  5. Common land

It is no defence to claim ignorance of the dog's actions.

Solutions:

  • 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 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.
  • never let your dog out alone to "go to the loo".

It is every dog owners duty to clean up after their dog.

There are no excuses, fouling is unacceptable!

Contact with canine excrement can lead to blindness due to an infection called 'Toxocara canis'.

Dog Waste Bags

The Dog Warden distributes biodegradable dog waste bags to agreed distribution outlets for the community. This is to encourage owners to collect, remove and properly dispose of dog waste.

Dog Waste Bags are available from Council Offices and many Post Offices throughout the district for a small charge.

How Can I Help?

All residents and visitors can help to reduce the amount of dog fouling on Craven's streets. If you witness an irresponsible dog owner, who fails to clean up after their dog has fouled, make a note of the date, time and location of the incident, along with a description of the dog and the owner and report to us. If you know their address, please note this down also.

An Enforcement Officer will interview you and decide whether or not to issue a fixed penalty

Contacts