Dog fouling

London Borough of Tower Hamlets takes dog fouling very seriously. Dogs' mess left on grass and streets is unpleasant to look at, disgusting to step in and, at worst, can cause an illness called toxocariasis which may cause blindness. The Council is determined to keep its amenity greens clean and safe for the whole community to enjoy.

The Poop Scoop law

London Borough of Tower Hamlets has designated all its streets, parks, open spaces and housing land under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996.

This law says that dog walkers must clean up straightaway after their dog has fouled. Owners must carry poop scoops or bags for cleaning up after their dog. Clean up must be immediate.

Not noticing that the dog has fouled is no excuse - it is the dog walker's responsibility to be vigilant. Anyone in charge of a dog, whether or not they own it, must comply with this act. Failure to do so can result in prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.

Falling foul of the law

The council enforces the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act vigorously. A team of five dog wardens patrols the borough seven days a week and watches dog owners to see if they act responsibly.

The dog wardens use high profile patrols to keep the 'clean up after your dog' message at the forefront of people's minds.

They use covert surveillance to discover which dog owners are complying with the law - anyone caught trying to 'drop it and hop it' is reported to the council for legal action.

If a dog fouls whilst out unattended and the owner is found, the owner may well be prosecuted under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act as he/she is held responsible for the activities of the dog at all times.

Prosecuting offenders

Most of the borough's dog owners have taken the 'clean up' message on board. The council maintains a tough enforcement policy against owners who persistently allow their dogs to foul public areas.

From 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008 we issued 35 Simple Cautions and prosecuted 23 people for failing to clean up after their dog. The average fine was £87 plus £88 costs.

As part of the educative process, Tower Hamlets Environmental Health is keen to 'name and shame' people who have threatened the health of others by leaving their dogs' mess on our streets, parks and open spaces.

Snoop on a poop

The dog warden team wishes to thank the vast majority of dog owners in Tower Hamlets who have taken the clean up task on board. It appeals for help in catching the few irresponsible owners who still try to flout the law.

Anyone who sees dog fouling happening regularly is asked to call the Animal Warden Service in confidence on 020 7364 5008.

Any information which helps the Dog Wardens to be on patrol in the right place at the right time will help make the service even more effective.

Bags and bins

Dog owners are responsible for supplying their own poop scoops, but to assist them, the council makes free dog waste bags available for collection from all its housing offices, One Stop Shops and libraries.

Litter bins may be used for disposal if no special dog waste bins are in place, but if there is no suitable receptacle available, owners must take their dogs' mess home with them.

To report dog fouling in Tower Hamlets, contact the environmental health department between 9am and 5pm during the working day.

Pid No: 577