Dogs in the countryside

It is very important that you clean up after your dog. As well as the visual and social implications of leaving dog waste on the path, there are also serious public health issues associated with dog faeces. In particular dog waste can contain millions of Toxocara eggs: Toxocaris is highly infections, especially to children, and can lead to serious eye damage and blindness. Dog waste from unwormed dogs also harbours parasites that can harm farm animals such as cows and sheep. It is therefore vitally important that you pick up any dog waste that your dog leaves on or by the path and either put it in a dog bin or any other available public bin, or take it home with you and dispose of it in your household waste.

While dog owners are increasingly hearing this message and picking up after their dog, there seems to be a trend towards leaving bags of dog waste beside the path or hanging on fences/trees etc. This is wholly unacceptable and illegal. Please make sure you either bin your dog bags or take them home with you.

Please Remember

If you allow your dog to foul any public place, you will be liable for a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100, which is a fast-track alternative to prosecution in the Magistrates' Court.