We were approached by a resident who does quite a bit of walking in the Parish with a complaint about dog fouling on Quarry Bank in Utkinton.  Quite apart from it being against the law (see below) it is unsightly and on a walking route for children coming and going from the local primary school.  Despite these two pictures being of dog poo in two plastic bags, this is still against the law – we welcome walkers and their dogs in the Parish but as them to respect others.

Dog fouling

Cleaning up after your dog

It is important when cleaning up after your dog to:

• always carry bags to clear up after them – a simple plastic bag will do the trick or get a poop scoop from a local pet shop
• dispose of the bag correctly by either using a dog waste or litter bin or taking it home and placing it, suitably wrapped, in your own bin
• not dump the bag in a hedge or elsewhere as this is littering which carries the same penalty as dog fouling
• encourage the dog to ‘go’ in your garden, you can then bury the mess or clean it up and bin it
• never let your dog out alone to ‘go to the loo’
• always worm your dog regularly, vets normally advise worming dogs every three to four months.

You can get small quantities of bio-degradable poop-scoop bags, free of charge from one of our customer services centres.

It is every dog owners duty to clean up after their dog. There are no excuses, fouling is unacceptable.

The law

The Cheshire West and Chester Council (Fouling of Land by Dogs)(General) Order 2017 makes it an offence not to remove any faeces deposited by your dog. This removal must be done without delay. The Order applies to all open air areas in the borough and where the public have access, even if warning signs are not displayed.

The exception to this is Forestry Commission land or other land where the owner has given permission that faeces needs not be removed. The Order does not apply to people who are blind and those with other trained assistance dogs for specific disabilities.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of £1,000. You may be given the option of paying a £80 fixed penalty notice if paid within 14 days or £50 if paid within 7 days. If a fixed penalty notice is accepted you also avoid a subsequent criminal record, if found guilty.

Health

Apart from the legal consequences of dog fouling, there are health implications.

• symptoms vary but, in severe cases, partial or total loss of sight may occur or Toxocariasis which is caused by worm eggs being ingested.
• getting dog mess into wounds may also cause infections.

children should be taught basic hygiene and not to let dogs lick their faces or hands