Dog fouling is one of the most common and unpleasant types of 'litter'.
If not cleaned up and disposed of properly, the roundworm Toxocara canis, present in approximately 50% of dog faeces, can cause the infection Toxocariasis in humans. Signs of infection can include flu-like symptoms, aches, dizziness and nausea. The most serious problems are associated with the eye and in severe cases can result in blindness (about 50 cases a year, mainly children who have contracted the disease as toddlers).
If every dog owner regularly wormed their dog, and always cleaned up after them immediately, toxocariasis would be virtually eradicated.
Even if there is no infection, when dog dirt gets onto clothes or shoes it is smelly, unpleasant and difficult to clean off. It is also difficult for Council employees to clear up dog faeces, particularly from grass.
The Council and the public therefore rely on dog owners taking responsibility by cleaning up instances of dog fouling caused by their pets.
Bag it and bin it
Free dog waste bags are available from all Falkirk Council One Stop Shops, libraries and other Council offices. Dog owners are advised to take a dog waste or other plastic bag with them any time they take their dog for a walk, and to clean up immediately after the dog has fouled in any public place.
If a dog waste bin is not readily available for you to deposit your dog waste bag you can use any litter bin or take it home and put it in your refuse bin.
Dog fouling: the law
New legislation relating to dog fouling was enacted in October 2003 which makes it an offence for dog owners not to immediately clean up after their pet. The legislation applies to all public places.
Failure to clean up after your dog may result in a fixed penalty fine of £40, rising to £60 if not paid within 28 days. Offenders may also be reported to the Procurator Fiscal and may be fined up to £500.
Falkirk Council operates a 'Zero Tolerance' policy with respect to dog fouling. Our Environmental Enforcement Officers regularly patrol known 'hotspot' areas for dog fouling. When two Officers witness an individual committing a dog fouling offence they will be approached and a Fixed Penalty Notice issued.
Falkirk Council recognises that the majority of dog owners already clean up after their dogs. It is our policy to deal with the minority that do not.
A leaflet explaining the law and the responsibilities of dog owners (PDF, 312KB)| can also be downloaded.
Dog fouling:
there's no excuse
always bag it and bin it
Other information for dog owners
Under the Control of Dogs Act 1992 all dogs must wear a collar and identity disc with the name and address of the owner.
Any unattended dog in a public place will be regarded as a stray dog and is liable to be picked up and taken to the Stray Dog Kennels, Bandeath, Throsk, Stirling.
The minimum fee for retrieving your dog from the kennel is currently £25 if reclaimed on the first day. Additional charges are applied if the dog is not reclaimed on the first day.
To check if your dog has been taken to Bandeath Stray Dog Shelter, please phone 0845 277 7000. Further information on Bandeath Stray Dog Shelter can be found on the Stirling Council website.|