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You are here : Home > Environment & Waste > Animal Information > Dog Fouling
Dog Fouling
The Fouling of Land by Dogs (North Norfolk District Council) Order 2008
CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR DOG - WHEREVER YOU ARE
Effective 1 January 2008 it became an offence not to clean up after your dog in any public area in North Norfolk and includes out-of-the-way beauty spots that are popular with people and families, as well as those walking their dogs. The rules were brought in under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.
Anyone allowing their dog to foul, and who does not clean it up, in public areas - or on private land that is open to the public - will be subject to an £80 fixed penalty notice (£60 if paid within 10 days). If they refuse to pay the fixed penalty, action in the magistrates' courts could result in a fine of up to £1000 on conviction.
There are exemptions and exceptions. Any land owned by the Forestry Commission (like Bacton Wood) is outside the scope of the order, and if the land is privately-owned, NNDC will only take action for dog fouling if the landowner approves.
Popular dog-walking spots largely have red bins provided for throwing away dog mess. If there are no bins, dog owners should collect their pets' mess in a bag and dispose of it at home, by double wrapping the mess and placing it in a domestic waste bin.
The Fouling of Land by Dogs Order 2008
Current Dog fouling Legislation
The Council's Animal Control Team enforces legislation affecting dog fouling, and is able to put up signs to help prevent fouling. Please contact The Environmental Protection Team on 01263 516085 for further information, advice or to report a complaint.
You must clean up after your dog if it fouls. Failure to do so is an offence under the The Fouling of Land by Dogs Order 2008. Please carry "poop scoops" or something similar to use to clean up after your dog. Disposal bins for these are provided in some areas.
Policing and Exemptions
The policing of the order will be the same as that already undertaken by the Council. Clearly there will not be the resource available to investigate every reported fouling, and indeed there will be little point in doing so. Action will be taken in the following circumstances:
- Where an offence is witnessed by an officer of the Council
- Where an offence is witnessed by a member of the public who can identify the person in charge of the dog and is willing to make a statement and appear in court if necessary
- Where an area is being heavily and persistently fouled - in such cases the Council will undertake appropriate surveillance of the area and deal with individuals on a case by case basis.
Where an offence is witnessed the Council will, in line with its Enforcement Policy, determine the most appropriate course of action to take, this may include a verbal or written warning, issuing a fixed penalty notice, a Caution or a prosecution of the offender.
What are the exemptions?
The legislation is very clear on the exemptions allowed and the Council is not able to amend these exemptions. In general the only exemptions are assistance dogs e.g. dogs for the disabled, guide dogs for the blind.