Dog Fouling in Darlington

Public Offence Number One - Dog Fouling in Darlington

When it comes to the top two recurring themes amongst all of the things that residents of any area complain to their local council about, it comes as no surprise that the number two is cleanliness and the emptying of our local waste bins.

And in at number one, probably because we all hate stepping in it is - quite literally that is, and the greatest public complaint by a clear margin - is the subject of dog dirt and fouling.

Dog dirt is a very serious matter. Dog dirt that's just left there on our pavements, our grass verges, our parks and on our walkways. It's a very serious matter because it's estimated that the Darlington dog population numbers around 14,000 and that's an awful lot of pooches, all producing an astonishing 1.8 tonnes of pooch poo per day!

Although dog owners know 'all too well' the problems associated with dog fouling it is estimated that only 23% of them actually clean up after their dogs when not being watched by other people.

Statistics suggest that

• 28% Never clean up after their dogs
• 72% Clean up after their dog/s whilst in the vicinity of other people
• 77% Turn a blind eye when their not being watched by others

It's Offensive and ALSO an Offence
Not cleaning up after your dog is an offence under the Dogs Fouling of Land Act 1996 and it is punishable by a hefty fine. In addition the names of all those people who are prosecuted and fined are published in the local press and on the Darlington Borough Council website.

It is an offence to allow your dog to foul in the public areas of Darlington including

• Parks
• Recreation grounds
• Children's playgrounds
• Sports grounds
• Picnic sites
• Pedestrianised areas
• Pavements
• Verges
• Footpaths
• Gutters and carriageways

Parasite toxicara
As well as being unpleasant and unsightly, the main purpose of the law requiring people to pick up dog's mess is to control the public health risk posed by the parasite toxicara which can cause blindness if swallowed. Although the parasite can be found in cats, its main host is the dog, and its eggs, which can remain viable for up to 2 years are found in dog's faeces.

If the faeces are left in parks, paths, verges, sandpits or play areas, they can be picked up on shoes, children's hands, the wheels of pushchairs, wheelchairs etc. It may take weeks or months after swallowing these eggs for symptoms to develop which can last for a year or more and include one or more of the following: headache, fever, sore throat, aching limbs, abdominal pain, sleep disturbance, listlessness, pneumonia, asthma.

Eye symptons are not always present although blindness resulting from toxocariasis affects around 100 people a year and may develop 4-10 years after the initial infection. The main group of people at risk are children who play where irresponsible dog owners have allowed their dogs to foul without clearing it up afterwards.

Fortunately the disease can be controlled if the faeces are disposed of immediately in a responsible manner. Note; Being unaware of the defecation (whether by reason of not being in the vicinity or otherwise), or not having a device for or other suitable means of removing the mess is no defence. If it's YOUR dog then it’s YOUR responsibility to clean it up.

As other animals are not a host for toxicara and are also as likely to be fouling areas where the public walk or play, the legislation does not extend to clearing up after other animals. You cannot catch toxocariasis from an infected human being, only from the faeces of an infected animal - usually a dog. Remember; Always wash your hands after handling animals or soil and before touching food.

Contacts - Darlington Borough Council (DBC)

• DBC Dog Wardens on (01325) 388582
• DBC Street Cleansing on (01325) 388777
• DBC Environmental Response Team (01325) 388777
• DBC Uniformed Warden E-mail