Increase in dog fouling reports sparks council crackdown on irresponsible dog owners

Redbridge Council is cracking down on irresponsible dog owners following public complaints about dog fouling and uncontrolled dogs not being on a lead.

As well as complaints about dogs not on leads, last year nearly 800 reports were made to the council, up from the previous year, over people failing to pick up after their dogs and instead letting their pooches foul public spaces.

The increase has sparked a council led campaign aimed at dog owners, as well the use of specialist cameras by the Council’s Enforcement Team to catch offending dog owners.

A Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is also currently in place in the borough covering several areas of dog control, including ensuring dogs are on leads and the maximum number of dogs allowed under one handler in locations where the PSPO applies.

Under the PSPO it is also an offence for anyone in charge of a dog to foul land in the borough by failing to clear their dog’s mess.

Offenders can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £100, and if the case goes to court it could cost the owner, or person in charge of the animal, up to £1,000.

While the majority of owners clear up after their dogs when walking them in the borough, a minority are still breaking the law by failing to do so and causing problems for the public.

The Council recently launched a boroughwide campaign encouraging dog owners to be ‘Proud to Pick Up’.

As part of the campaign signage has been placed in local parks and on more than 200 litter bins around the borough reminding dog owners they can dispose of bagged dog mess in any public street litter bin in Redbridge.

Anyone unable to find a bin near them should take their dog waste home and put it in their household waste bin.

The Council’s Enforcement Team are also using specialist cameras that can be easily deployed in hot spot areas to help catch offending dog owners, with clips being shared on Redbridge’s Wall of Shame.

Redbridge’s Wall of Shame regularly features footage of people committing environmental crimes across the borough and encourages the public to come forward if they can help identify any of the law breakers: https://wallofshame.redbridge.gov.uk/

Elisabeth Stodel, a mum from Clayhall, said: “I don't think people realise the consequences of leaving dog poo on the streets and in the parks - as a new mum I have to dodge the mess with the pram, and it means I can't relax and enjoy walks with my baby. If we do run over one, it means hosing the wheels down before the pram can come into the house when I'd much rather be looking after my baby. I really wish people would simply pick up their dog poo so we can all enjoy the lovely parks of Redbridge without constantly being on the lookout!”

Dog fouling is not only deeply unpleasant, and unsightly it can also be dangerous. Whilst rare, contact with dog excrement can cause toxocariasis – a nasty infection that can lead to dizziness, nausea, asthma and even blindness or seizures. Another reason to keep it off our streets.

Redbridge Cabinet Member for Environment and Civic Pride Cllr Jo Blackman, said: “Whilst most dog owners are responsible, those that fail to clear up after their dogs are a blight on our borough – posing an environmental and health risk to our residents. It takes very little time and effort to clean up after your dog and it is no defence to claim ignorance of the dog's actions, or not having a bag on you. Help keep Redbridge clean by carrying a bag when walking your dog, and pick up after your pet. There are plenty of public litter bins around for you to dispose of dog waste, and if you can’t find one - take it home and get rid of it in your household waste. There really is no excuse to leave dog mess behind.”

To report dog fouling in Redbridge, go to: https://my.redbridge.gov.uk/reportit/dog-fouling-on-road

*Public Space Protection Orders:

PSPOs give local authorities the power to restrict certain behaviours within a specified area.

The legal orders are used to help tackle anti-social behaviour, with the aim of ensuring public spaces can be enjoyed free from anti-social behaviour.

Breaching a PSPO without a reasonable excuse is an offence.

Redbridge’s Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Order covers five areas of dog control:

• Dogs exclusion – the effect of the Order is to make it an offence for a person in charge of a dog to permit the dog to enter or remain on any land to which this Order applies.
• Dogs on leads – the effect of the Order is to make it an offence for a person in charge of a dog to fail to ensure that a dog is kept on a lead on any land to which this Order applies.
• Dogs on leads by direction - the effect of the Order is to make it an offence for a person in charge of a dog to fail to put that dog on a lead under the direction of an authorised officer on any land to which this Order applies.
• Dogs (specified maximum) - the effect of this Order is to make it an offence for a person to take more than six dogs on any land to which this Order applies.
• Fouling of land by dogs - the effect of this Order is to make it an offence for a person in charge of a dog to fail to remove faeces forthwith from any land to which this Order applies.

The law states that being unaware a dog has fouled or not having a suitable bag is not a reasonable excuse to leave dog mess behind.

To view the PSPO in full and find out where the provisions apply in the borough go to: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/media/8525/lbr-dog-control-pspo-1-october-2020.pdf

For more information on all PSPOs currently in operation in Redbridge go to: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/crime-and-public-safety/public-space-protection-orders/

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