Dog Fouling
Dog fouling is consistently one of the highest sources of complaints by the public to their Members of Parliament, local Councillors and local authorities.
Estimates put the British dog population at between 6.5 and 7.4 million, producing 1,000 tonnes of excrement a day. The annual cost of cleaning this mess is a staggering £22 million (EnCAMs 2005).
Dog fouling is not just unsightly, it can prove hazardous to people’s health too, leading in some cases to an infection called toxocariasis which can lead to serious eye damage if contracted.
Report dog fouling
You can report dog fouling online or by contacting us using the details at the top-right hand corner of this page.
Cleaning up after your dog
If you are a dog owner, you must ensure that you clear up any faeces that your dog leaves in a public place.
- If your dog needs to go to the toilet while you’re out, ‘scoop the poop’.
- Poop-scoops are available for purchase at pet shops and some supermarkets.
- If you do not have a pooper scooper, you can use any plastic bag to clean up after your dog.
- If you are unable to deposit the bag in a dog litter bin, you are expected to double wrap the used scoop and dispose of it in a street litter bin or at home. The Council is no longer under an obligation to provide dog litter bins solely for the disposal of dog faeces.
Dog Fouling is an offence
The London Borough of Hackney introduced a Dog Fouling Control Order under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.
Under this Act, it is an offence if dog owners do not remove their pet faeces from land within Hackney that is open to the air and accessible to the public. This includes:
- public roads, footpaths, cycle paths and verges adjacent to these roads.
- parks and recreational spaces, cemeteries and Council-owned allotments.
- school playing fields, playgrounds and any land surrounding schools and colleges.
- council-owned housing estates.
Failure to comply with the Dog Fouling Control Order may result in the issue of a £80 penalty and/or prosecution with a maximum fine up to £1,000.
People who are registered as blind, disabled, or otherwise rely on dogs will be exempt from this Order.
How we manage dog fouling
Dog fouling is enforced by the Environmental Enforcement team, supported by the Street Wardens, Park Rangers, the Dog Warden and Hackney Homes estate managers.
Where dog fouling is major problem, we will undertake high visibility patrols and leaflet the street and surrounding area. We will also place warning signs in the area to advise dog owners of the need to clean up if their dog has fouled there.
All cases of dog fouling reported to us will be investigated within 48 hours of receiving the report.
Fouling on council estates
Dog fouling on land owned by Hackney Homes is investigated by the estate managers. Ongoing offences can be referred to the Environmental Enforcement team, who will issue Fixed Penalty Notices or instigate prosecution proceedings for persistent offenders.
Fouling within parks and recreational spaces
Parks and Recreational staff will manage first time offences. Continued breaches can be referred to the Environmental Enforcement team, who will take formal action as appropriate – this may include issuing fixed penalty notices or prosecution for repeat offenders.
Page updated: 8 Sep 2009