Despite previous messaging on this, dog fouling is still a problem that is reported regularly.
Dog mess is a nuisance and is associated with various diseases including Toxocara canis which is a roundworm whose eggs can be found in dog mess. This causes
stomach upsets, sore throats, asthma and in rare cases blindness. When irresponsible dog owners do not clear up, not only are they committing an offence but they are also leaving behind something which can be easily picked up by young children or stood in by others.
Dog owners and walkers, please remember:
✓ take enough bags when you take your dog(s) out
✓ bag it and bin it – any street litter bin will do
✓ use your black household bin at home if no other bin is available
We would encourage anyone witnessing a dog fouling incident to report this directly to West Suffolk Council on 01284 763233 or by emailing .
If you are a dog owner or walker you must pick up your dog’s mess if it fouls in areas open to the public. This is a legal requirement as described under the Public Spaces Protection Order (Dogs) 2020 (refer to this for exceptions to picking up dog foul). If you do not then you may be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice. If you do not pay the Fixed Penalty Notice then you could be taken to court and fined up to £1,000.
I have logged this as a persistent problem in the parish with West Suffolk Council and asked for enforcement officers to visit – this shouldn’t have been necessary.