Reporting dog fouling – and will action be taken?

UPDATE 17 Feb 2025: Reporting dog fouling – and will action be taken?

ACCORDING to Keep Britain Tidy, dog mess is one of the most unacceptable and offensive types of litter. Local town and parish councils often see the issue returned for discussion on their meeting agendas, and angry posts about it are common on social media daily.

Since 2020 East Riding of Yorkshire has received over 1,400 complaints about dog fouling (see: https://hedonblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Dog-Fouling-FOI1591-240425-Response.pdf). As the enforcement authority, the council currently employs three dog wardens. However, the number of Fixed Penalty Notices (£75) issued for dog fouling since 2020 is only four, one each year. These are normally paid, but non-payment can result in the case being referred to the courts.

In February last year (2024), a Bridlington man was fined for allowing his dog to foul and not cleaning up after it. He was issued a Fixed Penalty Notice but referred to the court after not paying and fined £150 and ordered to pay £330 costs and a victim surcharge of £60. David Howliston, environmental control manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said in a media release in February “This fine should serve as a timely reminder for all dog owners to clean up after their animals.”

The dearth of notices served, considering the number of complaints made, should prompt a wider debate on enforcement measures, and whether these act as a sufficient deterrent.

The number of Fixed Penalty Notices issued does not reflect the amount of work undertaken by dog wardens to act as a deterrent and gather evidence of dog fouling. In 2021 386 site visits took place to observe or deter dog fouling, this rose to 450 site visits in 2022, but only 83 in 2023. The number of complaints each year by telephone, email, online and other means peaked at 528 in 2019. But last year it had reduced to 328. Of these 328 complaints, most had been lodged online (194). This reveals that the online method is, perhaps, more effective; it involves pinpointing the offending mess on a digital map and asking for other essential information such as the time and date of the incident and the name and/or description of the offending dog and owner.

In a briefing document, the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) stated that dog fouling is a “challenging issue to tackle”. They have listed several likely reasons:

• Offenders don’t think they will be caught. They are most likely not to pick up after their dogs when they are not being watched or in public view i.e. at night.
• Responsible dog owners and the public are rightfully hesitant to confront those who let their dogs foul.
• Successful prosecution requires good evidence. Residents will often report where the dog mess is located, but more intelligence about an incident is needed than that i.e. name and address of the dog owner or any other identifying details such as a car registration number that might lead to successful prosecutions.
• There is often a lack of awareness that you can dispose of dog waste in any council litter bin. Also, many people don’t realise that by leaving bagged dog waste on the ground or hanging in bushes, it is still a dog fouling issue.

APSE have identified lots of existing good practice ideas from local authorities around the country to tackle dog fouling. From Dog Watch schemes inspired by Neighbourhood Watch, advertising approved dog walking routes serviced by bins, to glow-in-the-dark posters to deter nighttime incidents, there is a wealth of existing experience to draw upon.

Dog ownership helps people live mentally healthier lives. So APSE says that it is important that steps to reduce dog fouling gain the support of responsible dog owners. Whilst it is unlikely that incidents will ever be completely eradicated, councils and other agencies must continue to share their stories about what works – and what doesn’t – in the fight against this unpleasant practice.

The Keep Britain Tidy Group has formulated its policy on dog fouling deserving the last word in this article:

“We want to see dog fouling substantially reduced and all but eradicated by 2030. We will continue to develop and support campaigns or initiatives focusing on dog owners’ reasonability and supporting the concept of ‘any bin will do’.”

If you see irresponsible dog owners walk on after their dog has fouled, you should note the location, the time and date, a description of the dog and owner, and the name and address of the owner where possible. You can report the incident by email: dog.warden@eastriding.gov.uk, by phone on 01482 396301 or online at https://www.eastriding.gov.uk/environment/pests-dogs-and-animals/dog-control-and-ownership/. To request the removal of dog mess from the street call 01482 393939.

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Original article:

DOG FOULING is one of those issues that is sure to get hackles rising! It was raised once again at Hedon Town Council’s public participation meeting last Thursday. A written question asked what could be done to report those who let their dogs foul and don’t pick it up. The resident also posed the question: “Would any action be taken?” against offenders.

The Town Clerk had responded directly to the questioner by sending him the East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s (ERYC) Dog Warden contact details.

The advice from ERYC:  If you see irresponsible dog owners walk on after their dog has fouled, you need to note the location, the time and date, a description of the dog and owner, and a name and an address of the owner where possible. You can report the incident by email: dog.warden@eastriding.gov.uk, by phone on 01482 396301 or online at Dog Control and Ownership (you have to register/login for lots of services).

To request the removal of dog mess from the street call 01482 393939.

The question about what action might be taken is moot. No doubt warning letters are sent out. But a Freedom of Information request in 2021 by Hedon Blog revealed that in 2019 the number of complaints about dog fouling made to ERYC by telephone, email or online reporting was 528, in 2020 it was 384. Yet in 2019 ERYC issued only 3 fixed penalty notices, and in 2020 only 1 was issued.

Whilst it is important that those with complaints obtain the necessary information to make intelligent reports the location, time and date, description of the dog and owner, and names and addresses of the owners where possible, it would also seem to be important that action is taken by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council where reliable information is received – and actually seen to be taken.