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Dog Fouling

Dog fouling is both unsightly and expensive, costing the Local Authority thousands of pounds a year to clear up.  It also represent a serious public health hazzard and contains a number of things which can make people ill, the best known of which is an infection with a round worm known as toxocara canis. If the eggs of the worm are swallowed, this can result in a range of symptoms from aches and pains to bronchial conditions. In some cases infection can result in blindness.

The Dog Warden Service (DWS) will respond to all complaints of dog fouling within the service standard of 3 days, as outlined in the 'Our Service for You - Dog Warden Service' (131 KB pdf) information leaflet.

Dog Fouling Enforcement

The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 says that it is an offence not to clean up after your dog on footpaths, bridle paths, parks, amenity areas and most grass verges in the Harrogate District, details of which can be found in the Council's Designation Orders.

The Dog Control Officers (DCOs) undertake regular early morning, evening and weekend patrols of known dog fouling hotspots to try and catch irresponsible dog owners who do not pick up after their dog has fouled.

In addition to their routine enforcement patrols the DCOs arrange regular dog days when all authorised officers within the Council target a particular well used area. The purpose of such dog days is to take enforcement action against witnessed offenders and to provide a highly visible presence in which advice, free dog waste bags and leaflets are handed out to dog walkers.

Offenders who are caught will either have the option to pay a fixed penalty notice of £50 or appear in a magistrates court and face a fine of up to £1000.

The Department of Community Services enforcement policy on dog fouling outlines the enforcement options available when an offence has been committed.

How can I help ?

If you are a dog owner, please ensure you act in a responsible manner. Keep a constant watch of your dog's activities and pick up after your dog at all times.  Apart from those who are registered blind, there are no excuses for not picking up.

Whether you are a dog owner or not, to enable DCOs to target their enforcement patrols against the minority of irresponsible dog owners they need as much information from yourselves as possible. 

If you become aware of a badly fouled area or you see an owner not picking up after their dog has fouled we want to hear from you.  Please contact the Dog Warden Service on (01423) 556633 or complete the online reporting form and give us as much information as possible such as:

• Date or day offences witnessed.
• Time offences occurred or likely to occur.
• Location of offences.
• Offender's name and address or description of the offender and their dog.
• Description and registration of any vehicle involved.
• What you have seen.

How can I dispose of dog fouling ?

To encourage owners to clean up, the Council has provided over 250 special dog waste bins and allows the use of ordinary litterbins throughout the District provided the faeces is bagged. In addition, small amounts of dog waste may be placed within household waste, but this MUST be bagged.  Alternatively special dog waste composting toilets can be purchased and sited in your garden.  Please ensure such are located away from neighbours' properties and do not give rise to a nuisance.

How do I report a full or damaged dog waste bin ?

If you are reporting a damaged or full dog waste bin contact the Council's Customer Service Unit on 0845 3006091. Please quote the bin's location and if possible the bin's identification number. 

The same contact number should be used when requesting an additional dog waste bin.

The provision, maintenance and emptying of dog waste bins is managed through the Council's Street Cleansing Team.

Online reporting form

You can use the form below to notify us of a stray, found or lost dog, make microchipping appointment, or report a fouling incident.