Everyone who owns a dog has a serious responsibility to the animal, to their neighbours and to others who may be affected by the dog's behaviour.
Many people are annoyed by owners who allow their animals to foul in public places. Dog mess is unpleasant, smelly and may also carry diseases and parasites. Not cleaning up after your dog is an offence for which you can be fined up to £1,000. The law applies to almost all areas in the open air to which the public have access.
Dog wardens operate throughout our region and are able to give offenders Fixed Penalty Fines.
Give consideration to others and clear up after your dog! Pick up the faeces. You can buy purpose-made 'poop-scoops' to pick up your dog's mess, but a doggy bag or a supermarket carrier bag will do just as well. Ideally, it should then be placed in a designated dog bin. Bins are provided in many parks and on road verges, across our region, for the specific disposal of dog mess. If this is not possible, take the bag home or, as a last emergency resort, double-wrap the faeces and put them in a normal litter bin.
Bassetlaw and Newark & Sherwood Councils both have Dog Wardens in operation. If you wish to report an offence, contact your local authority to find out what the dog control procedures are in your area, and make a note of the following details:
- The name and address of the person in charge of the dog, if known.
- A description of the dog.
- Details of the date, time and location of the offence.
If the fouling takes place at regular times it may be possible for a council official to witness the fouling. In most cases, they will warn the offender before taking legal action, which is usually enough to deter further offences.
Page last updated/reviewed 6th January 2010 |
