UK Pet Owners Face Potential £100 Instant Fine for Dog Fouling

TENS of thousands of pet owners in the UK are set to face new rules regarding dog fouling.

New on-the-spot fines of £100 are being plotted for those that refuse to clear up after their pets.

Certain dog owners could be set to face new fines for not clearing up after their pet Credit: Alamy West Oxfordshire District Council is looking to introduce fines to reduce the amount of dog mess left uncleared Credit: Alamy

New fines could be coming into force for dog owners who fail to clean up after their pets.

West Oxfordshire District Council is looking at introducing a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to prevent fouling, leaving owners facing fines of up to £100.

If approved, the PSPO would make it an offence for anyone to leave dog mess uncleared in public spaces.

It would also require dog owners to ensure they have the right means for collecting and disposing of dog waste when in public.

Anyone found to be breaking the PSPO could be slapped with an immediate fine of up to £100.

They could also face prosecution and be left with a maximum fine of up to £1,000.

Certain exemptions would be in place for assistance dog users and those owners with disabilities.

The council is set to launch a public consultation on the matter, inviting locals for their opinions on the restrictions and how the new rules should be introduced.

Councillor Alistair Wray, executive member for , said: “We are proposing a new order that would allow for £100 fines to be issued where dog fouling is caught, or up to £1,000 for a prosecution.

“This consultation will give residents the opportunity to help shape this order that could make our shared spaces cleaner, safer and more enjoyable for everyone, while ensuring any measures introduced are fair, proportionate and practical.

“It is about sending a clear message that leaving dog mess in public is unacceptable.”

In the last three years, West Oxfordshire District Council has received over 63 reports related to dog fouling.

Councils can currently fine dog owners for littering under the Public Health Act; however, a PSPO is another tool local authorities can use tocrack downn on the issue.

A PSPO specifically sets out the areas where dog fouling is a criminal offence, making it easier for the authorities to issue an on-the-spot fine for anyone refusing to clear up after their pet without the need for a full court case.

Local authorities have a duty to keep certain public spaces in the UK clear of dog mess, which was set out under the Litter (Animal Droppings) Order 1991 under the Environmental Protection Act (1990).

These places include public walks, populated seashores and picnic sites.

Dog owners who fail to clear up after their pet in the UK can face prosecution.

Under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act (2014), local authorities have the power to make activities prohibited in certain public spaces, including dog fouling, and can issue PSPOs to prevent and fine those continuing to undertake the activities.