Image supply, Getty Images
- Author, Steven McKenzie
- Role, BBC Scotland News
More than 20 years after the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act was launched, how a lot of an issue is canine mess at the moment?
The Scottish authorities and councils say most canine homeowners act responsibly, however issues have been raised in regards to the numbers of people that don’t choose up after their pet.
Can canine homeowners be fined for failing to select up poo?
An increase in canine possession in Scotland since 2020 has been partly fuelled by so-called “pandemic puppies”, based on the Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill launched by MSP Christine Grahame final yr.
People who discovered themselves working from home resulting from Covid restrictions in 2020 and 2021 have been amongst these shopping for new pets.
Image supply, Getty Images
The Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003 gives powers to police and councils to cope with such points.
It applies to any public open place – streets, paths, parks and sports activities pitches.
Dog homeowners are required to scrub up after their pets, and eliminate the waste appropriately.
People caught not selecting up after their canine might be issued with a hard and fast penalty discover (FPN) of £80.
If the tremendous just isn’t paid inside 28 days, it will increase to £100.
The legislation does have various exemptions – together with for information dogs – and doesn’t apply to agricultural land.
How many canine fouling fines have been issued?
Numbers of canine fouling stories obtained by Perth and Kinross Council and FPNs it was in a position to problem
The image throughout the nation is a different one.
In Aberdeenshire, the native authority stated the legislation solely allowed it to problem fines if the act of fouling was witnessed.
“And as you may think about this isn’t all the time potential,” stated a spokesperson.
“Ultimately it’s accountability of canine homeowners to select up after their pets and we’re inspired by the truth that the overwhelming majority of canine homeowners do that.”
Moray Council stated it typically obtained stories of places of fouling however no particulars of who the canine homeowners is likely to be.
It added that it, like many different councils, didn’t have the sources to intensively monitor for canine fouling.
East Dunbartonshire Council burdened that it will be unfair to pay attention solely on numbers of FPNs issued as a measure of neighborhood wardens’ efforts.
It stated: “This is just one software and their remit is far wider than enforcement work and issuing fines.
“As properly as enforcement actions, wardens additionally work laborious to boost consciousness and alter behaviours on neighborhood security issues equivalent to canine fouling.”
Dog fouling in Charles Street in Crown, Inverness
Keep Scotland Beautiful is worried the issue refuses to go away. It highlighted how some canine homeowners bag canine waste however then don’t correctly eliminate it.
Chief govt Barry Fisher stated: “Dog fouling is probably the most offensive type of litter on our streets and parks.
“It is soiled and unsightly.”
Concerns have additionally been raised within the Scottish Borders, the place the native council obtained 94 complaints final yr and issued six FPNs.
Kelso’s provost Gavin Horsburgh stated the scenario was so dangerous regionally he wished a legislation change to forestall canine walkers from getting into soccer pitches.
He stated: “Recently video games have needed to be cancelled as a result of the coach needed to choose up canine fouling.
“It’s actually disgusting.”
Why do some canine homeowners not clear up?
A warning signal at farmland at Inverness
Zazi Todd, creator of ebook Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy, stated analysis had highlighted differing attitudes to canine fouling.
“In a extra city surroundings, like a park, everybody agreed that it is best to choose up,” she stated.
“But when it got here to open countryside and farmland there was really fairly a big minority of people that thought it did not matter, that you simply did not have to.
“I feel this implies that persons are pondering of the implications for different individuals utilizing an space – they don’t seem to be pondering a lot in regards to the affect on the surroundings.”
A Lancaster University study additionally discovered small numbers of individuals didn’t choose up after their dogs as a result of they felt embarrassed to be seen carrying poo luggage.
What might be accomplished?
Image supply, West Dunbartonshire Council
West Dunbartonshire Council has prior to now trialled spray portray canine poo to spotlight fouling
Various makes an attempt have been made to encourage accountable behaviour.
Now the council tries to help canine homeowners by issuing 4 million free canine waste luggage yearly.
Dundee City Council stated tackling fouling was a element of its Take Pride in Your City marketing campaign.
In North Ayrshire, the council has transformed customary litter bins to double its capability to deal with canine waste.
Inverclyde Council stencils pavements with No Dog Fouling messages.
The Scottish authorities stated the laws in place supplied the mandatory powers to assist councils sort out the issue.
A spokesperson added: “The Scottish authorities works with Police Scotland, native authorities, the SSPCA and different companions to encourage accountable canine possession and maintain communities protected.”
