Dog Fouling......anyone know the law ??

[Dave7]

We live in a close which has a path leading to a park (for park read dog toilet).
Our side of the close has no footpath.
Some people.....one in particular.....allow thier dog to crap anywhere. Twice in 2 weeks its been directly in front of our drive. (Have no absolute proof this particular dump was her dog)
Having googled the problem it appears I have 2 problems.....
1) it appears to be legal to let your dog crap on a public road (as against pavement).
2) I WAS going to photograph the person and get council involved but the info says "accredited" people can take photographs.
Any ideas/thoughts (preferably sensible ).

 

[Dave7]

Thanks. I agree with that but it doesnt address my questions.

 

[classic33]

Who's saying "accredited people" only?
If the council, then ask who the "accredited people" are. Chances are they mean council employees only.

 

[Andy_R]

We live in a close which has a path leading to a park (for park read dog toilet).
Our side of the close has no footpath.
Some people.....one in particular.....allow thier dog to crap anywhere. Twice in 2 weeks its been directly in front of our drive. (Have no absolute proof this particular dump was her dog)
Having googled the problem it appears I have 2 problems.....
1) it appears to be legal to let your dog crap on a public road (as against pavement).
2) I WAS going to photograph the person and get council involved but the info says "accredited" people can take photographs.
Any ideas/thoughts (preferably sensible ).

Depends on your local bylaws. Some councils class fouling in any public area including roads as an offence.

 

[NorthernDave]

Have you tried reporting it via www.fixmystreet.com, which has a specific option for dog fouling and passes the report directly on to the council responsible?

I'd be very surprised if dog fouling in any public place was legal - around here it's a fine of up to £1,000 if you don't clear it up straight away.

 

[Cubist]

No specific law as in a one size fits all, it's all down to local bylaws and your local authority will have their "accredited persons" to deal with it.

 

[Dave7]

Who's saying "accredited people" only?
If the council, then ask who the "accredited people" are. Chances are they mean council employees only.

Its the phrase from the government web on dog fouling

 

[DaveReading]

I WAS going to photograph the person and get council involved but the info says "accredited" people can take photographs.

What does that mean?

With a very few exceptions (none of which apply here) anyone can take a photograph in a public place.

 

[midlife]

What does that mean?

With a very few exceptions (none of which apply here) anyone can take a photograph in a public place.

Perhaps it means any member of the public could Photoshop in a pile of dog poo. Council accredited people with council issued cameras wouldn't do that, like what traffic wardens have......

Shaun

 

[classic33]

No specific law as in a one size fits all, it's all down to local bylaws and your local authority will have their "accredited persons" to deal with it.

Parking Enforcement Officers(private contractors) in Elland then.

 

[Drago]

There is no law whatsoever preventing you as a private individual from taking photos or video of events that take place in public. Obviously, some circumspection is required to avoid confrontation.

Personally, now I'm a Mop myself now, id return it to him. Quick knock on the door, hand him a jiffy bag full of dog sheet.

 

[Dave7]

There is no law whatsoever preventing you as a private individual from taking photos or video of events that take place in public. Obviously, some circumspection is required to avoid confrontation.

Personally, now I'm a Mop myself now, id return it to him. Quick knock on the door, hand him a jiffy bag full of dog sheet.

That is my plan if I can confront them and be 100% certain who it is.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

There is no law whatsoever preventing you as a private individual from taking photos or video of events that take place in public. Obviously, some circumspection is required to avoid confrontation.

Personally, now I'm a Mop myself now, id return it to him. Quick knock on the door, hand him a jiffy bag full of dog sheet.

I was going to suggest a bag posted through the letterbox if you're sure whos it is (dog owner & poo picker and I deplore those that don't)

Agree with the others, Council is your best bet relevant department and your local one(s), if you do twitter then I'd see if your local councillor(s) have a profile on there, 2/3 of mine are pn & usually more responsive on there than via email or council feedback form.
To be fair my council twitter feed is quite responsive and points one to the correct people & contact info.

I would supply photos too, if they then want accredited person ones that is down to them but they've been provided with pictorial evidence either way.

 

[Brandane]

Quick knock on the door, hand him a jiffy bag full of dog sheet.

A more entertaining (and effective) solution is to wrap the dog turd in newspaper, deposit it on the person's doorstep, set the newspaper alight, THEN knock the door and watch as he/she answers the door and jumps on the burning bundle to try and put out the flames.

In a sort of answer to the OP, here is the law in Scotland (Civic Government - Scotland - Act, 1982 section 48).

(1)Subject to subsection (2) and (3) below, any person in charge of a dog who allows it to deposit its excrement upon—

(a)a footpath or footway;

(b)a grass verge maintained by a local authority and situated adjacent to a footpath or footway;

(c)a pedestrian precinct maintained by a local authority;

(d)any place maintained by a local authority and used exclusively as a children’s play area; or

(e)any place maintained by a local authority and used for recreational or sporting purposes being a place in relation to which this section applies by virtue of subsection (2) below,

shall be guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding [F1level 2 on the standard scale].

(2)This section applies in relation to a place, being a place referred to in subsection (1)(e) above, only if a notice stating that this section applies to it and the effect of such application is displayed at the entrance to that place or elsewhere so that it may be seen by members of the public intending to have access to the place.

(3)This section shall not apply to a blind person in charge of a dog kept and used solely for his guidance or to a stockperson in charge of a working dog being used for droving livestock.

(4)In this section “footpath” and “footway” have the [F2same meanings as in the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984].

 

[SteCenturion]

Some are yellow card offences & some a straight red, depends on the interpretation of the referee & whether or not there was clear intent to foul the dog.