Millions of dog owners across the UK have been warned they could face a £100 on-the-spot fine if they cannot show proof they are carrying poo bags while walking their dogs. Community enforcement specialists at Kingdom Local Authority Support (LAS) have urged owners to carry at least two bags each time they go out, following a rise in councils updating their Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs).
The updated regulations make it a legal requirement for owners to clean up after their dogs and allow council officials or enforcement officers to ask for proof of poo bags. Failure to provide evidence could result in a fixed penalty notice (FPN) of £100, which could increase to £1,000 if the case goes to court.
John Roberts, Chief Services Officer at Kingdom LAS, said: 'Given these new rules are being increasingly adopted by councils across the country – our advice, at Kingdom, is to bring at least two bags on each dog walk. Unfortunately, there are a portion of people who intentionally and repeatedly breach these rules.'
Several areas in the UK have already introduced PSPOs requiring owners to carry poo bags, including East Lindsey, Boston in Lincolnshire, Canterbury, Westmorland and Furness in South Lakes, Merthyr Tydfil, and parts of London such as Hammersmith and Fulham. More councils, like Preston City Council and Reading Borough Council, are planning or considering new orders.
While there is no law specifying the exact number of bags required, Rushcliffe Borough Council advises: 'There is no set limit of dog bags you should carry at any one time, however it is advisable that you carry more than enough to make sure you’re covered for any unforeseen circumstances.'
Dog fouling remains a significant issue in the UK, with research from Petplan showing over 88,000 incidents recorded between 2017 and 2021, though the true number is likely higher. The new PSPOs aim to address this problem by giving enforcement officers the power to issue fines for non-compliance.
