Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions officials in his Department have had with officials in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the steps they are taking to tackle dog fouling.

Most dog owners conscientiously clean up after their pets. Those who do not leave an unsightly and unhygienic mess which can spoil local spaces that are meant to be enjoyed by all.

Local councils have a duty to ensure that public areas are kept clear of litter and refuse. This includes removing dog faeces from certain types of land.

On behalf of Defra and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has recently published guidance for local authorities and Business Improvement Districts in England on the provision of public bins, which includes a section on dog fouling. The Right Bin in the Right Place guidance is available at: https://wrap.org.uk/content/binfrastructure-right-bin-right-place

In support of this guidance, a £2 million grant scheme has been launched for local authorities in England to apply for capital grants of between £10,000 and £25,000 to purchase new bins. The scheme is being funded by Defra and managed by WRAP.

Councils also have powers to issue Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs). PSPOs allow councils to deal with a particular nuisance or problem arising in an area by imposing conditions on the use of that area. For example, a PSPO may be used to exclude dogs from designated spaces such as a children’s play area in a park or to require dog owners to pick up their dog’s faeces.

Those who breach the terms of a PSPO may be prosecuted in a magistrates’ court, which can lead to a criminal record and a fine of up to £1,000 on conviction. Alternatively, the council can issue a fixed penalty notice of up to £100. It is up to each council to decide how and to what extent they use these powers.