Dog fouling
Walsall Council has a very active anti-dog fouling policy. It is an offence to let your dog foul in any street, park or public open space without clearing up after it.
In the past the service has attached self-adhesive signs to lampposts warning people of the consequences of not clearing up. Now however, we are having larger, more robust signs made that will soon be appearing all over the Borough.
Where will the signs be placed?
It is the intention of the service to place the greater number of its signs at the entrances and exits to the many parks, the remainder will be placed at street and road junctions throughout the borough.
What will it cost me if I fail to clean up?
The council as from 1 July 2004 adopted the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 Section 4. This carries a fixed penalty of (£50, rising to £1,000 fine for unpaid penalty notices)
What will happen if my dog fouls upon the pavement or grass verge?
'The Dog (Fouling of Land) Act' has replaced the old byelaw and in doing so has given the Council more scope in the land we cover. So the answer to that question is you must clean up after your dog whether it is open ground or pavement.
What about bins
Many of our parks have dog waste bins, which have been purchased through lottery grants. You may also place your dog waste in any of the Borough’s litterbins providing that it is bagged up securely. If there are none of these nearby, then it is your responsibility to take it home and dispose of it responsibly.
Dog faeces
Despite our attempts to make light of the subject it is a very unpleasant matter. It has been asked many times why we take the matter of dog fouling so seriously.
This page explains a few of the most important reasons for us to do so.
- It is the law under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 that any person who permits a dog that is in their charge to foul any area within the borough of Walsall to which the public has access, is committing an offence.
- It is dangerous - dog faeces carry many germs. If for example, a child were to innocently play where a dog had fouled, it may contract Toxicara Canine, food poisoning, Hydatid Disease. All can be killers.
- Dog mess, however small the amount, is offensive to look at or step in which all of us have done at some time in our lives and for most people it is an annoying and obnoxious experience.
Contact us
Public Health Team
Challenge Building
Hatherton Road
Walsall
WS1 1YG
Telephone 01922 652210
Email dogs@walsall.gov.uk