Dog Fouling
Dog fouling - failing to pick up your dog's poop from public places - is an offence. Not only is dog poop unsightly and smelly - it carries very real health risks.
The Law
The Dog fouling (Scotland) Act 2003 makes it an offence for any person in charge of a dog not to immediately remove and dispose of its fouling in an appropriate manner. This applies to all public places including:
- Pavements and footpaths
- Children’s play areas
- Parks and recreational areas
- Beaches
- Common areas such as drying greens
Failure to pick up may result in the issue of a fixed penalty notice. This is currently set at £80. This rises to £100 if not paid within 28 days. Offenders can also be reported to the Procurator Fiscal and may be fined up to £500 if convicted.
Health Risks
The main danger from dog fouling is Toxocariasis which is caused by worm eggs being ingested. The eggs can still infect after lying dormant in the ground for 12 months or so. This is why the waste should be removed straight away. The symptoms vary but, in severe cases, partial or total loss of sight may occur.
What you can do to help
The best thing you can do to help is to be a responsible dog owner by cleaning up after your dog - and encourage friends and family to do the same.
Information from the public can be used for targeted dog-fouling patrols. When reporting instances of dog fouling, it is useful if you can let us know the following:
- Location of offence
- Time offence occurs
- Name and address of person in charge of the dog
- Description of the dog
All complaints will be treated in confidence.
Other Information
Dog bags are available, free of charge, from libraries, police stations, veterinary surgeries, Council offices and many local stores. If you don’t have a dog bag, use a carrier bag. This should then be placed inside a dog bin or a public litter bin. If this is not possible, take the bag home.
The majority of dog owners are responsible and clean up after their pets, but if you do witness a dog-fouling offence, contact Environmental Health at Orkney Islands Council.
To report a dog fouling offence, contact our Environmental Health team by email on env.health@orkney.gov.uk or phone 01856 873535 ext. 2801.
