Dog Poo and the Law: A Brief Guide

Let's face it, nobody likes cleaning up after their dog. It's one of the less pleasant aspects of dog ownership. However, it's important to remember that if you don't clean up after your dog, you could be breaking the law. In this blog post, we'll take a look at the relevant legislation in the UK and offer some tips on how to make sure you're always prepared when your dog does his business.

The Law on Dog Fouling in the UK In the UK, there are a number of laws that relate to dog fouling. The main piece of legislation is The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. This Act creates a number of offences in relation to litter and dog fouling, including allowing a dog to foul in a public place without immediately cleaning up afterwards.

If you're caught allowing your dog to foul without picking it up, you could be given a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN). This is basically a fine that you can pay instead of going to court. The amount of the fine varies depending on where you live, but it's typically around £80.

However, if you don't pay the FPN or you fail to provide your details to the person who issued the FPN (e.g. a police officer or council worker), then you could be prosecuted. If convicted, you could end up having to pay a much larger fine (up to £1,000) and/or receive a criminal record.

So what counts as a "public place"? The definition of "public place" for these purposes is quite wide and includes any place to which members of the public have access, even if they have to pay to enter (e.g. a park or shopping centre). It also includes private land that has been opened up to the public, such as some car parks.

Tips for Picking Up After Your Dog Here are some tips for making sure you're always prepared when your dog needs to go: * Keep poo bags with you at all times - ideally in a pocket or bag I use Tuff Pets

• Get into the habit of using them - even if there's nobody around; * Don't leave it until the last minute - by which time it may be too late; * Make sure you tie up the bag properly; * Dispose of the bag in a bin - never leave it lying around; * Remember that children and elderly people are particularly vulnerable to contracting diseases from contact with dog mess; * If you see somebody not picking up after their dog, report them to your local authority. By following these simple tips, you can help keep our streets and parks clean while staying on the right side of the law.

Geoff Truss writes about dogs among other pet related things