Dog fouling

Dog mess is probably the most unacceptable and offensive type of litter on our streets. It is not only deeply unpleasant, it can be dangerous.

Contact with dog excrement can cause toxocariasis - a nasty infection that can lead to dizziness, nausea, asthma and in very rare cases blindness.

Report a dog fouling problem

Report a dog fouling problem

What information should I include?

Try to make a note of the following, so we are in a better position to take action against offenders:

• date
• time
• location (please be as accurate as possible)
• what you witnessed
• description of the dog owner
• description of dog

If there is insufficient information to investigate your report then the Council's Neighbourhood Services team will attempt to carry out a clean up only.

What happens after I report it?

1. Fouling clean up

If the fouling is on a pavement or road, we will send a road sweeper to clean the fouling away.

We cannot clean fouling off private property or grass.

2. Dog fouling diary completion

You will need to complete a Dog Fouling Diary including:

• time of fouling
• place of fouling
• brief description of offender (if known)
• description of dog 

Once your diary is received, we will visit your area at the reported times to try to catch offenders.

We have found that most dog walkers follow routines, it is therefore essential the local community helps the Dog Control Team to tackle the problem.

What if offenders are caught?

Failure to immediately remove dog waste from land that is open to the air and to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access is a criminal offence.

If prosecuted, offenders may be fined up to £1000 and receive a criminal record upon conviction. Alternatively offenders may be given the opportunity to pay a fixed penalty of £100.00.

Failure to pay the Fixed Penalty Notice will result in prosecution, repeat offenders are not given the opportunity to pay a fixed penalty.

For more information around the law and dog fouling read dog fouling and the law (PDF) [909KB] .

My neighbour has a build-up of dog waste in their back garden can you help?

We can investigate complaints made about smells caused by accumulations of dog waste.

If it is found to be a statutory nuisance, we can ensure your neighbours clean their yard. To report a nuisance please visit odours and smells.

We need a dog waste bin in the area, who should I ask?

We no longer install new dog waste bins.

All dog waste can go into littler bins, as long as it is suitably wrapped in a dog waste bag.

If you still think you need a new littler bin email neighbourhoodservices@preston.gov.uk.

What is the dog fouling situation in Preston?

Studies undertaken in Preston have shown that approximately 99% of all dog owners regularly pick up after their dogs, which means that only 1% of Preston's dog owners are blighting their community with this anti-social behaviour. However, one dog fouling, twice daily can lead to a considerable amount of dog mess within a week.

With only a small number of incidents, it makes it difficult for us to identify and deal with offenders. Whilst the majority of Preston isn't blighted by dog fouling, it is accepted that there are some areas that become 'hotspots'.