Shropshire Council

Dog fouling

Dog owners are required by law to clean up after their dog; failure to do so can result in a fixed penalty notice being issued or possible prosecution. Dog waste should be disposed of in the appropriate manner, either by using our dog or litter bins or by taking it home and disposing of it in your black refuse bin.

Report dog fouling »

Dangers of dog fouling

Dog mess is not only very unpleasant to step in, it can also carry harmful infections, the most widely known being toxocariasis. Infection can last between six and 24 months, and lead to blindness.

What is the best way to prevent health risks?

Pick up the dog faeces immediately using a plastic bag and dispose correctly in a dog waste or normal litter bin. If there is no bin present, the faeces should be taken home and disposed of there. It should be noted that the absence of waste bins is not a defence against failing to clear up after your dog. Toxocara eggs are only infectious when they mature (approximately two to three weeks after being deposited by the dog), and therefore only contaminate the soil after this period.

What is the offence of dog fouling?

It's an offence not to clean up after a dog in your control as soon as it has fouled on any land which is open to the air and to which the public are permitted access. It's not a defence to say "I'm coming back later/I didn't see my dog foul/it's not my dog/I haven't got anything to pick it up with".

When are notices issued?

Environmental crime reports or fixed penalty notices will be issued when there is sufficient evidence to do so.

Why are we enforcing dog fouling penalties?

We want to encourage responsible dog ownership and for owners to help keep areas clean by disposing of their dog's mess in a clean and safe manner. People should be discouraged from leaving dog faeces on public land.

How do I report an incident?

Click on the "report dog fouling" button on this page or call 0345 678 9006. If it is a persistent problem, please provide as much information as possible, such as at what time the incidents are occurring, a description of the dog walker and dog, and where the fouling has occurred. Our patrols can then be targeted more efficiently.