Your guide to dog fouling and the law in the North Shropshire District

Children can be affected by Toxocara Canis, which is common in dog faeces, and which can cause blindness, so, Be a responsible dog and owner and 'Scoop the Poop'!

The following controls are in force in the North Shropshire District.

The Dog Bye-Laws (introduced in 1996)

Because we care about the environment, we have made bye-laws which make it an offence to allow a dog to foul certain public areas.

The bye-laws currently in force are:

Poop Scoop

This applies to:

• Publicly maintained footways and footpaths
• Grass verges, maintained by the Council in good order, which are adjacent to the carriageway or footway of a highway
• Gutters adjacent to roads which are subject to a 40mph or less speed limit.

If your dog fouls any of these areas you must remove and properly dispose of the faeces.

You will comply with this bye-law if you place the faeces in a dog bin, if one has been provided in the area, or in your own wheeled bin at home.

No Fouling

This applies to:

Roads which are subject to a 40mph or less speed limit; and certain other roads where there is no speed limit.*

*most roads in Ightfield, Loppington and Norton-in-Hales, and part of the main roads through Darliston and Soudley.

Further details can be obtained by contacting the Environmental Health division.

It is a defence against this bye-law to prove that you took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the dog fouling the road.

Note:  both bye-laws do not apply in the case of a Registered Blind person.

Penalty - Any person offending against the bye-law will be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of up to £500.

The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996  (Introduced in 1999/2000)

This applies to most publicly owned recreation areas and some canal towpaths in the district.  It requires an owner to remove and properly dispose of their dog's faeces if it fouls the land.  Most
playing fields and play areas are included and will be identified by a warning sign.

If you are unsure about whether the controls apply to the land, you should contact your local Town and Parish Council or the Environmental Health division.

Penalty - Any person offending against the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 will be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of up to £1000.

Hygiene and Safety

Always use a 'poop scoop' to remove dog faeces.  They only cost a few pence and can be bought from most pet shops.  Alternatively, you can use a small plastic bag.  Dispose of the 'poop scoop'
hygienically by placing in a dog bin, if there is one nearby, or by taking it home and placing it in your own wheeled bin.  Never put dog faeces in an ordinary litter bin.  Always wash your hands after
using a 'poop scoop', before you handle food or smoke.

Enforcement

The Dog Warden will not be able to patrol all of the District all of the time.  We will, therefore, rely on you to report offenders who persistently allow their dogs to foul public areas in contravention of the bye-laws.  In most cases we will deal with complaints on an informal basis, we will, however, prosecute persistent offenders.

Other laws affecting your dog

• It is an offence to let your dog stray in a public place.
• All dogs in a public place must wear a collar and tag with the name and address of the owner.
• Dogs must not be allowed to bark for long periods as this causes a nuisance to neighbours and is an offence.

Toilet training can be a simple task with some puppies, but with others it can be a long and time consuming affair, so be very patient with your puppy.

You will soon recognise the signs that he wants to go to the toilet.

• Start by putting him on the newspaper, he will then learn to go on the newspaper himself.
• Over the new few weeks, keep moving the paper towards the outside door.
• Find a suitable part of your garden and take the pup there  and wait.  When your pup has finished, praise him. 
• Say the word 'busy', as the pup starts to go and he will soon recognise this and go on command.

Useful contact numbers

Keith Clorley - Dog Warden

North Shropshire District Council

Tel: 01939 238460  Mobile: 07702 166039

Grinshill Animal Rescue (Stray dogs)

Mrs J Martinez  

Tel: 01939 220211

National Dogs Trust Roden Kennels 

Tel: 01952 770225