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Dog and animal fouling

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Dog fouling is unpleasant and can be a health hazard. If you do not clean up any faeces left in a public area by a dog you are in charge of you will be committing an offence.

West Dorset District Council, East Dorset District Council, North Dorset District Council, Purbeck District Council and Christchurch Borough Council have adopted the Dogs Fouling of Land Act 1996. This allows our dog wardens to issue a fixed penalty ticket to any person responsible for a dog that fouls and does not clean up any mess left by the dog on designated land. Owners can also be prosecuted in the magistrates court where a fine of up to £1,000 can be imposed.

If you wish to complain about dog fouling in a particular area, please contact your local district/borough council.  A dog warden may then contact you and/or visit the area to assess how severe the problem is. They will then take the appropriate action to deal with the problem. If we are not able to take any action, we will notify you of the reason(s).

If you have any questions about dog fouling, or the law relating to dog fouling please contact your local council.

You can report an incident of animal fouling online.

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