Dog Fouling

Information on dog fouling and how to act as a responsible dog owner.

The Public's Duty to Remove Dog Faeces

Throughout Solihull, the person in charge of a dog has a duty to remove the dog's faeces from public land. The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, makes it is a criminal offence to fail to do so. Only a few types of land are not included, and this includes agricultural land or highways where the speed limit is 50mph or more.

Any person accompanying the dog at the time is deemed to be in charge of it, and this is regardless of the person's age. There is no requirement for the dog to be on a lead, or for the person to actually see the dog foul. Where a dog is unaccompanied, the person usually in charge of the dog is liable for the offence, which is often the owner. This is useful where the owner irresponsibly allows the dog to go out in public alone.

Dog faeces can be placed into a bag and then into any litter bin. To assist further, the Council has installed special dog litter bins throughout many of Solihull's parks.

People that are registered as blind are exempt from the duty to remove dog faeces.

Offences

Under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, it is an offence to fail to remove dog faeces. The maximum penalty upon summary conviction is £1,000.

See recent convictions for Dog Fouling

Fixed Penalty Notices

Solihull Council has adopted powers to issue fixed penalty fines to people who fail to remove dog faeces. Most incidents are now dealt with in this manner for first offences, and the fixed penalty is currently £50. The Council's Environmental Health Officers undertake regular patrols throughout the borough, both proactively and in response to complaints. Patrols reinforce the duty to remove dog faeces, and people that fail to do so are issued fixed penalty notices.

Public Health Risk

Dog faeces presents a real risk to public health. Nearly all puppies are infected with the roundworm Toxocara, and this infection continues but diminishes somewhat as the dog grows older. Dog faeces typically contains over one million microscopic Toxocara eggs, which can remain on the surrounding land for up to two years, even once the faeces has been removed or has degraded.

Transmission of the infection to humans occurs from direct ingestion of the eggs whilst they embryonate. This is usually at least two to three weeks after they have left the warm environment of their carrier, the dog, meaning that fresh faeces can be removed without risk.

The human infection, known as Toxocariasis can last for between 6 and 24 months. It is dominant in children aged between 18 months and five years, as they are more likely to have contact with dog faeces and affected soil whilst playing for example. It is an unfortunate fact that approximately half of the most serious cases of Toxocariasis occur in families that have never owned a dog.

Reports indicate that Toxocariasis is a frequent and potentially serious infection. There is a debate however, on the exact number of incidents in humans, which varies from 1% to 4% of adults. However, a study by Woodruff in 1970 is the most conclusive despite its age. He tested 700 people using a skin test and found 2% of them to be infected.

Eye disorders are the most commonly reported complaint associated with Toxocariasis. This is due to the transportation of larvae via the retinal artery to the eye, potentially causing blindness through the growth of non-malignant tumours or the development of detached retinas. The poor reporting of eye disorders in relation to Toxocariasis may be due to the public and medical professions lack of awareness of the link. It is very likely that a huge number of Toxocariasis cases go unreported and unrecognised by both the public and by doctors. Other symptoms are vague aches, dizziness and nausea, asthma and seizures.

In a report by Dr S. Gillespie (November 1993), he identified that approximately 100 cases were diagnosed each year, with half of these suffering serious eye damage resulting in blindness. Nearly all were children, who had contracted the infection as toddlers.

If you are concerned about Toxocariasis, contact your General Practitioner, or telephone NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

The Council's Duty to Remove Dog Faeces

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Council has a duty to keep public areas clear of dog faeces, as it does with any other form of litter. We have a Litter Blitz Crew that will provide a rapid response to areas that need attention urgently, and this is usually done the same day as it is reported.

To report an area that needs clearing, contact Solihull Council's Contact Centre on 0121 704 8000.

Further Information

For further information, please contact Solihull Council's Contact Centre on 0121 704 8000.