Animal Fouling

You must clear up after your dog by law.

If a council officer sees you failing to clean up after your dog, you will be asked to clear it up or you can be given a fine (fixed penalty notice) allowing you to pay rather than be prosecuted.

If you fail to pay the fine within 14 days, legal proceedings will be started. A Magistrate's Court may impose a fine of up to £1,000.

As of the 1 June 2016 a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in relation to enhanced dog controls has taken effect across the Harborough District and replaced a number of out of date by-laws to create a more comprehensive and consistent approach when dealing with issues such as dog fouling, and other forms of irresponsible dog ownership.

In summary this order makes it an offence to fail to:

• Pick up after your dog (dog mess) - this will now include all land to which the public can gain access including agricultural land
• Put a dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer – this allows council officers to direct that a dog is put on a lead when it is causing nuisance and/or danger to other persons and their dogs
• Provide at the request of an authorised officer the means to pick up after a dog

Any breach of the Order could result in the issuing of a £100 fixed penalty notice or being taken to court and receiving a fine on conviction of up to £1000