It is an offence for a person not to clean up immediately after a dog in their care fouls in a public or communal place. This is enforced by the Council under the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003.
We operate a zero tolerance policy against dog fouling. Where this is witnessed by an authorised officer, we will take action against the person in charge of the dog. This will either be the issue of a Fixed Penalty Notice, or you can be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
We tackle the issue of dog fouling through education, prevention and enforcement patrols, for example, the successful Green Dog Walkers campaign and Scooper featuring in our educational materials.
All street litter bins can be used for the disposal of dog fouling.
Report dog fouling
Frequently asked questions
- Do I have to clean up after my dog?
- What if I didn’t see the dog doing it?
- Where can I get dog bags?
- What can I do about dog fouling near where I live?
- Why can dog faeces be dangerous?
- Is anyone exempt from prosecution for allowing their dog to foul in a public place?
Do I have to clean up after my dog?
Yes. Under the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003, any person who does not immediately clean up after their dog can receive a fine of up to £500.
What if I didn’t see the dog doing it?
As a responsible person in charge of a dog, you should always be aware of its behaviour and actions. This is therefore not a valid excuse for not picking up.
Where can I get dog bags?
From 01 April 2024 we will no longer provide free dog waste bags.
What can I do about dog fouling near where I live?
You can report dog fouling in your area:
Why can dog faeces be dangerous?
Dog fouling is a real problem in parks, on streets and even in some school grounds. It can make a mess of our footwear and clothes and can be dangerous to human health. It can be dangerous as it contains a roundworm which can cause a variety of illnesses and in the worst cases, eye damage and even blindness. This happens to about 50 people each year in the UK, usually children).
Is anyone exempt from prosecution for allowing their dog to foul in a public place?
There are a number of exemptions to the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003, including:
- a blind person in charge of a dog that is being used for that persons guidance;
- a person in charge of a working dog being used for the tending or driving of sheep or cattle;
- the armed forces, customs and excise or the police force are also exempt but only when the dogs are working;
- some disabled persons.
There is no specific exemption for partially sighted people, the elderly or the infirm.