Dog Fouling
Dog fouling can cause serious health risks, particularly to children, due to the bacteria it contains. It also spoils the environment for all. It can be reported to us via the online dog fouling form, 24/7 at your convenience.
The law
In North East Derbyshire it is a criminal offence, under a Public Spaces Protection Order, to not clean up your dog's waste. If you are witnessed failing to clear your dog’s waste, you will be issued with a £100 fixed penalty notice. The fixed penalty is an alternative to being taken to court.
It is not an excuse to say you did not witness your dog foul and if you do not have the means to pick up you may also receive a £100 fixed penalty notice.
If a person gives false details or refuses to cooperate then the matter will be referred directly to the magistrate’s court. Environmental Health enforcement officers are equipped with body cameras and will record the issuing of Fixed Penalty Notices.
What can the council do?
Our Environmental Health enforcement officers will respond to reports of dog fouling by carrying out patrols and erecting signage or requesting pavement stencilling where necessary.
Where there are accumulations of excessive dog fouling on public land our Streetscene will clear. If it is on private land it is the responsibility of the land owner to clear.
Stray Dogs
What is a stray?
A dog that is roaming free in a public space without its owner being present, whether or not it is wearing a collar and tag or has been microchipped, is classed as a 'stray'.
Finding an owner
If you find a stray dog, please try and secure it so that it can't escape again, but only if you can do so safely.
If you have access to social media you may be able to locate the owner of the dog as the owner may appeal for information there.
If the dog has a collar and tag please contact the person named on the tag. If you are near a vets surgery or pet shop, you may be able to take the dog there to check for a microchip - if the dog has up to date microchip details the owner can be contacted.
If you are unable to contact the owners you can contact the Council by reporting the stray dog online or calling us on 01246 231111 and our Enforcement Team will arrange to collect the dog from you as soon as possible.
Council stray dog collection service
Our Enforcement Team are available to collect stray dogs between 9am and 3.30pm Monday – Friday.
If you find a dog outside these hours we can collect the dog from you the next working day, or you can call 01246 242295 to arrange to take it to the kennels direct during the following hours:
- Saturday 9am-1pm & 2pm-4.30pm
- Sunday & Bank Holidays: 9am-12.30pm
Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day the kennels are closed and Christmas eve/New Year's Eve their opening hours are the same as Sunday/Bank Holiday opening hours.
What if I can’t contain the dog
Please still report it to us as our Officers are equipped to catch dogs on the loose and we will inform the police.
Aggressive dogs
If a dog is behaving aggressively and someone has been attacked or bitten, call the police non-emergency number 101. If it is an emergency situation, call the police on 999; do not approach an aggressive dog.
Can I keep a stray dog?
If you find and report a stray dog you wish to keep, we can complete a ‘retained by finder’ form, meaning you are required to be responsible for the found dog for 28 days.
If the an owner comes forward within that 28 day period you must hand the dog over to them. If it is after this period and no-one comes forward to collect the dog, the ownership of the dog will transfer to you.