You are here: Home: Community and living: Street care and cleaning: Dog fouling

Dog fouling

The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996| was introduced in Calderdale on 1st April 1999. It is an offence if a person in charge of a dog does not clean up immediately after the dog has fouled in a public place.

The penalty for contravening the Act is a fixed penalty of £50 or prosecution in the magistrates’ court. Payment of fixed penalty fines can be made by debit or credit card over the telephone, or by cheque or cash at any of the Council’s Cash Offices .

If you have a problem with dog fouling please Report dog fouling .

If the problem relates to dog fouling in public places and the offender can not be identified then the Dog Warden may:

• distribute leaflets in the area drawing attention to the legislation,
• undertake patrols,
• erect “No Fouling” signs.

When individuals are seen by an Authorised Officer of Calderdale Council not clearing up after allowing their dog to foul, appropriate enforcement action will be taken. The Officer may offer the offender the opportunity to pay a Fixed Penalty, or commence prosecution proceedings. If the offender decides to not accept an offered Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN), Housing and Environment Services will instigate prosecution proceedings against the offender.

Where this Service receives information to indicate that known persons are allowing their dog(s) to foul, and are not clearing up afterwards, a warning letter will be sent to the alleged offender. Dog Wardens can also patrol the area at times suggested when the offence may be committed with a view to issuing an FPN or starting prosecution proceedings if the allegation is justified.

back to top