Dog and animal fouling

The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 gives local authorities power to implement dog control orders after appropriate consultation which can: exclude dogs from certain areas, enforce 'dog on lead' areas and increase fines for those that fail to remove their dogs faeces when it fouls in a public place. Shepway District Council has Zero Tolerance Policy towards dog fouling and works in conjunction with members of the public and private landowners to identify problem areas and tackle offenders. Many people make the assumption that they can safely allow their dog to foul public areas with no consequence, however, routine patrols of problem areas result in irresponsible dog owners being fined. This legislation allows the Council to designate land that is covered under the Act, and therefore most of the land in Shepway is designated including beaches, footpaths, playing fields, verges, certain private land and roads.

• Fixed Penalty Notice for failing to remove dog faeces - £50.00
• Prosecution may result in fines of up to £1000.00

SHEPWAY DISTRICT COUNCIL WILL PROSECUTE THOSE WHO FAIL TO PAY FIXED PENALTY NOTICES.

Under the Act no offence is committed if:

• The person in charge of the dog is registered blind or the dog is otherwise an assistance dog trained by a prescribed charity.
• The land owner, on whose land the fouling has taken place, has given consent for the faeces to be left on the ground.

The Act stipulates that 'being unaware of the defecation (whether by reason of not being in the vicinity or otherwise), or not having a device or other suitable means of removing the faeces shall not be a reasonable excuse for failing to remove the faeces'.

WHY SHOULD YOU CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR DOG ?

Roundworm eggs contained in the faeces pose a risk to children if the faeces is not disposed of. Eggs in fresh faeces are not infective as they take about two weeks to mature and therefore pose no health risk to those cleaning up after their dog. The eggs can survive for up to two years on the ground and although the worm cannot complete its life cycle in a human host, ingested eggs can cause serious conditions in children as the eggs hatch in the gut and the larvae can migrate to various organs such as the liver, eyes and brain. It is estimated that between 100 and 200 new cases of TOXOCARIASIS are diagnosed annually and has been linked to conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, sight problems and in rare cases blindness. Toxocariasis results from exposure to and accidental ingestion of the mature eggs of Toxocara Canis (commonly known as roundworm).

Regular worming of dogs can help reduce this problem and it is recommended that dogs are wormed every 3 months. Check with your Veterinarian as to a suitable product to use for your dog.

Dog faeces smells and looks unpleasant.

Please be considerate of others and think about those who are visually impaired or have young children that may walk in your dogs faeces or play where your dog fouls. Wheelchair users will also experience considerable inconvenience if their wheelchair rolls through your dogs faeces.

Its nutrient levels can have a direct impact on Environmentally Sensitive Areas causing changes in soil quality and encourage the growth of brambles and nettles.

It is every dog owner's duty to clean up after their dog.

There are no excuses, fouling is unacceptable.