Why it's important to clean up after your dog
Not only is dog mess unpleasant, it is human health hazard.
The biggest threat to public health is toxocariasis – an infection
caused by worms commonly found in dogs intestines. This can
cause serious illness, and even blindness.
If you fail to clean up after your dog, you could be
issued a fixed penalty notice of £50. The maximum penalty for
committing an offence is £1,000 in a magistrate's
court.
Dog mess is a public health hazard - Bag it! Bin it!
Dog faeces can contain the eggs of the Toxocara worm (a type of
round worm). Humans can become infected by accidentally ingesting
worm eggs or by eating food that is contaminated with soil
containing the eggs. One of the major forms of toxocariasis (the
condition the Tococara worm can cause) is damage to the eye -
reducing vision and in some cases causing blindness.
Children are at most risk of becoming ill
Children are at higher risk of contracting toxocariasis as
they are more likely to come into contact with soil or sand that
contains the faeces. Cases of toxocariasis have also been found in
sportspeople where dog faeces have been left on recreational play
areas and sports pitches.
Worm eggs develop over time - pick up dog mess
immediately!
Toxocara worm eggs need time to develop in areas such as soil
for several weeks before they are able to infect humans, which is
why it's vital you clean up your dog's mess immediately. If the
mess is not picked up, any worm eggs present can develop and infect
anyone who comes into contact with them in the future.
Cases of toxocariasis can be reduced if owners are
responsible and pick up their dog's mess immediately, and by
ensuring their dog is wormed regularly.
It's the law to pick up after your dog
If a dog fouls in a public place, by law the owner or person in
charge of the dog at the time must clean up after it and put the
mess in a bag tied tightly and place it in a public refuse
bin.
It is the responsibility of the dog owner or the person in
charge of the dog to clear up any dog mess left by their dog. Being
unaware that the dog has fouled, or not having suitable means of
removing the mess is not a reasonable excuse for failing to clean
up after a dog
A 'public place' is means any area that is open to the air and
where the public are entitled or have a right to access it.
Some examples covered by this law include:
- Highways (roads, pavements, public footpaths, byways etc)
- Parks and green spaces
- Town centres and shopping precincts
- Car parks
- Playing fields (including school grounds)
What else can I do?
As well as clearing up your dog's mess as a dog owner, you can
help reduce any health risk to the public by regularly worming your
dog.
If you have information about a dog walker who fails to pick up,
report it today!