South Ayrshire Council News

Officers from South Ayrshire Council’s Environmental Health section, working in partnership with colleagues from other sections of the Council, have been carrying out targeted patrols and enforcing the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003, to educate irresponsible dog owners and encourage them to clean up after their pets.

The Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003 Health makes it an offence for any person who is responsible for a dog, not to remove and dispose of appropriately, any excrement, after a dog has fouled. The provisions of the Act apply to any open space including pavements, footpaths, roads, parks etc. The Act also applies to communal land such as back courts, stairs and closes and to any open land to which the public has access. Dog excrement left in public places is a risk to public health.

Any person found committing an offence would be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £40.00 that rises to £60.00 if not paid within 28 days. It should also be noted that it is an offence for an individual not to provide their name and address to an authorised officer, if suspected of committing an offence.

To allow the Act to be more effectively enforced internal training was provided for more Officers to assist in targeted enforcement action and there is now a pool of authorised Officers from Environmental Health, Community Safety and Waste Management.

During March and April 2008 multiple patrols were carried out outside of normal working hours, some starting as early as 6.20 am and some finishing at late as 7.30 pm. Each patrol lasted approximately three hours and they were timed to coincide with popular dog walking times. The patrols covered the following areas: Ayr Esplanade; Rozelle and Belleisle Parks; Newton area; Prestwick Oval; Prestwick Beach; Tarbolton; Failford; Annbank; Castlehill; Kincaidston; Old Racecourse; Blackburn car park area; Glencairn; Forehill; Maybole; Girvan; Troon; Barassie; King George V playing fields; Muirhead; Doonfoot; Lochside; Whitletts; Alloway; Greenan; Dunure; Monkton; Coylton; Ayr Town Centre; Barrhill; Dailly; Crosshill; Culzean; and Wallacetown.

The 11 fixed penalty notices were issued to offenders in the following areas:

Ayr Esplanade 2
Prestwick Esplanade 5
Prestwick Oval 1
Whitletts 1
Monkton 1
Kincaidston 1

Speaking about the enforcement initiative Councillor Peter Convery, the Council’s Portfolio Carrier for Sustainability and Environment issues said: “The enforcement initiative was targeted at offenders. A total of 11 fixed penalty notices were issued to offenders and I hope that this will act as a message to irresponsible dog owners that it is not acceptable to let their dog foul in public and not clean up after them.

“Officers involved in the patrols were particularly encouraged by the number of very responsible dog walkers routinely cleaning up after their dog. This reaffirms that the vast majority of dog walkers are responsible dog owners. In recognition of this, “thank you” leaflets together with free dog bags were handed out to dog walkers acting responsibly.

“The initiative has been very successful and has sent out a clear message that dog fouling will not be tolerated in South Ayrshire.”

The enforcement initiative was the culmination of a programme of education that has been ongoing since the Act came into force. Initially Officers provided facilities to allow responsible dog owners to clean up after their dogs, in excess of 380 dog waste bins have been installed across South Ayrshire. Most towns and villages have been provided with bins which are mainly located in public open spaces, near play parks, park areas and dog walking routes. In areas where dedicated bins could not be erected dog walkers were advised to utilise general litter bins. Dog litter bags have been made available to the public, free of charge, from many Council offices, community centres and libraries. The Council distributes over 200,000 free bags annually.

The Council also carried out a programme of educating and informing dog owners about the Act. With targeted initiatives being run in partnership by Environmental Health Officers, Community Police Officers, Dog Warden, Litter Warden and Waste Management Officers in Ayr, Prestwick, Troon, Maybole and Girvan. Monthly patrols at varying times have concentrated on areas where most complaints have been received.

Resources permitting, dog fouling enforcement patrols will continue targeting problem areas.