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Dog fouling
Michelle France - October 2008
env.dogwardens@kirklees.gov.uk
How to contact us...
I have a complaint about dog fouling, what can I do?
Contact the Dog Warden Service on 01484 226883 who will
advise you of what you can do. Alternatively complete the
service request form stating
the nature of the advice you require.
What is the law relating to dog fouling?
To protect the public health and promote cleanliness, many public areas in Kirklees have
been designated as “poop scoop” areas. This means that anyone in charge of a dog will commit
an offence if they do not clean up any fæces left by that dog. The person responsible
can be issued with a fixed penalty notice, or prosecuted in the Magistrates Court where a
fine of up to £1,000 can be made.
What will the Dog Warden Service do?
The Dog Warden will visit the area you are complaining about to find out how severe the
problem is and then contact you and tell you what action, if any, we can take. Any
information you can give us about the dog owner(s) causing the problem, or the most common
times that people walk their dogs, will be helpful to us. The Dog Warden will then visit
any known offenders to advise them and write to confirm the advice given. We will not tell
them who has complained.
What if the dog fouling continues?
Contact us again. The Dog Warden will visit the area again during normal patrols to check
on the situation. However, if you do not contact us within one month of your first
complaint, we will assume that it has been resolved and we will write to you confirming
this.
What action can be taken?
If the problem is a statutory nuisance then formal action will be taken. If not, then only
informal action can be taken. The Dog Warden will explain more about the best action to
take when you are contacted.
What evidence do we need?
For us to take formal action, someone has to see the dog(s) causing the fouling nuisance.
That person will need to give a witness statement and may be required to go to Court as a
witness on behalf of the Council. If people are not prepared to act as witnesses, then we
are restricted to advising offenders - a course of action which will not always give
positive results in preventing nuisances of this type.
If the Dog Warden should witness anyone breaking the law, then we will take action on your
behalf, using the Dog Warden’s evidence.
Can we have some “No dog fouling” signs, please?
Some 15,000 signs have already been fitted to lamp-posts adjacent to roads in Kirklees, and
in other places, but requests for more signs will always be considered.
Contact the Kirklees Dog Warden Service, which is part of the Council’s Environmental Services,
on 01484 226883 or complete the
service request form
and give the location where you think signs are needed.
A Dog Warden will visit the area, check the location and assess the number of signs required.
Signs will be fitted when the next signing contract is carried out, which occurs about 3 or
4 times a year.
Why are there no dog bins?
There is no legal requirement for the Council to provide dog bins. Dog waste bins are quite
expensive to buy and fix, and also the costs of emptying and maintenance are high. Research
has shown that where bins are provided, they are abused and often vandalised, rather than
used properly.
Dog owners are entirely responsible for all the actions of their dog(s). From a dog fouling
point of view, dogs should be trained to “go at home”, with any fæcal deposits disposed
of in a hygienic manner. Thereafter, if an “accident” occurs whilst a dog is being walked,
then the dog owner or person in charge should clean up immediately.
“Poop-scoops” are available from the Kirklees Dog Warden Service, which is part of the
Council’s Environmental Service.
They cost £1.00 per pack (a 50 bag dispenser).
Poop-scoop packs are also available from some pet shops and dog training classes.
I require further information. Who do I contact?
If at any time you require further information, please contact the Dog Warden by telephone
on 01484 226883 or by completing the
service request form
giving us details of the information you require.
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