Dog fouling and the law: things you should know
Anyone responsible for a dog (with the exception of those shown below) who does not clean up their dog's dirt properly in a public place is committing an offence under the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003.
Public places include:
• Children's play areas and sports pitches
• Pavements, footpaths, cycle paths and roads
• Pedestrian precincts and car parks
• All grass verges
• Parks and other recreational areas
• Common public areas such as drying greens, back courts, stairs and closes
• Cemeteries and burial grounds
• Any other land open to the public
You can dispose of your dog’s dirt in your bin at home or in any public litter bin.
If you do not clean up after your dog, you face a fixed penalty of £40, which can go up to £60 if not paid within 28 days. Offenders can be reported to the Procurator Fiscal and may be fined up to £500 if convicted.
Designated council officers and the police can issue fixed penalty notices.
Exceptions and Exemptions
There are certain people to whom the Act does not apply. These include:
• a blind person, who is in charge of a dog that is used for their guidance
• a disabled person with a physical impairment, who is in charge of a dog that is trained to assist them with their impairment.
Examples of what might be considered a reasonable excuse for failing to clean up after the dog include:
• if the dog has diarrhoea
• if cleaning it up presents a risk of injury to the person in charge or to others.
Contact our Cleansing Service or call customer services on 0300 100 1800
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Useful Links
Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003
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