Street care and cleaning Dog fouling

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Dog owners are required by law to clean up after their dog; failure to do so can result in a fixed penalty notice being issued or possible prosecution.

Dog waste should be disposed of in the appropriate manner, either by using our dog or litter bins or by taking it home and disposing of it in your black refuse bin.

Public space protection order, dog constraints (PSPO)

Proposals were put to our cabinet in October 2023 to introduce a public spaces protection order (PSPO) for Shropshire to help tackle dog fouling and nuisance, in response to public complaints.

Following an eight-week consultation into the proposal, a small number of amendments were made before the order was made on Wednesday 17 April 2024, and came into force on Saturday 1 June 2024.

As per the order:

  • The PSPO enables Shropshire Council and the police to issue fixed penalty notices of £100 – or £50 if paid within ten days – to owners who allow their animal to foul pavements and public amenity spaces without clearing up afterward
  • Dogs will be excluded from fenced play and sports areas
  • Dogs will be required to wear a lead on the highway
  • Officers will have the power to ask for a dog to be put on a lead in public areas where they're not under control of their owner or are acting aggressively

Who will be exempt from the order:

The order will not apply to a person who:

  • Is registered as a blind person in a register compiled under section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948
  • Has a disability which affects their mobility, manual dexterity, physical co-ordination, or to lift, carry or otherwise move everyday objects, in respect of a dog trained by a prescribed charity upon which they rely for assistance
  • If the dog is a working dog, including dogs that are being used for work in connection with emergency search and rescue, herding or sheep herding animals, law enforcement and the work of the armed forces. These exemptions will only apply whilst the dog is working

Education campaign

The PSPO is implemented with a public education and information campaign advertising on health considerations, the impact of dog nuisance and the reasons for enforcement action. The campaign aims to educate and encourage pet owners to act responsibly. 

Report a dog-related concern/issue

If you have any dog-related concerns or would like to report an issue, please report directly to Shropshire Council via one of the routes below:

  • Use the FixMyStreet website
  • Call the Customer Service Centre on 0345 678 9006
  • Report via the FixMyStreet mobile app

Dangers of dog fouling

Dog mess is not only very unpleasant to step in, it can also carry harmful infections, the most widely known being toxocariasis. Infection can last between six and 24 months, and lead to blindness.

What is the best way to prevent health risks?

Pick up the dog faeces immediately using a plastic bag and dispose correctly in a dog waste or normal litter bin. If there is no bin present, the faeces should be taken home and disposed of there. It should be noted that the absence of waste bins is not a defence against failing to clear up after your dog. Toxocara eggs are only infectious when they mature (approximately two to three weeks after being deposited by the dog), and therefore only contaminate the soil after this period.

What is the offence of dog fouling?

It's an offence not to clean up after a dog in your control as soon as it has fouled on any land which is open to the air and to which the public are permitted access. It's not a defence to say "I'm coming back later/I didn't see my dog foul/it's not my dog/I haven't got anything to pick it up with".

When are notices issued?

Environmental crime reports or fixed penalty notices will be issued when there is sufficient evidence to do so.

Why are we enforcing dog fouling penalties?

We want to encourage responsible dog ownership and for owners to help keep areas clean by disposing of their dog's mess in a clean and safe manner. People should be discouraged from leaving dog faeces on public land.

How do I report an incident?

Select the 'report dog fouling' button on this page or call 0345 678 9006. If it is a persistent problem, please provide as much information as possible, such as at what time the incidents are occurring, a description of the dog walker and dog, and where the fouling has occurred. Our patrols can then be targeted more efficiently.