Dog fouling

Find out how to report dog fouling to us, as well as how to report that a dog waste bin is full or damaged.

Disposing of dog waste

Dog waste bins are provided throughout the region to encourage dog owners to clean up after their mess. You can also dispose of dog waste in your black bin. Please do not place dog waste in your garden waste bin. 

If a dog fouls on designated land which the public have a right of access to, and the person in charge of the dog at that time fails to remove the faeces, that person is guilty of an offence. The maximum penalty for this offence is a fine of £1,000.  

Dog fouling is both a nuisance and a serious health hazard. 

Report dog fouling

To successfully convict a person of committing a dog fouling offence we need you to provide us with as much information as possible including: 

  • a description of the person committing the offence, their name, address, vehicle, model, colour, vehicle registration 
  • a description of the dog 
  • photographs 
  • date 
  • time 
  • location 

Report dog fouling in the Craven area

You can report a dog fouling issue in the Craven area online.

The fine for dog fouling is a £50 fixed penalty. If the fine is not paid within 14 days the offender will face prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court which carries fines of up to £1,000. 

Only one fixed penalty will be issued to each offender – you will be prosecuted for a second offence. 

Report dog fouling in the Hambleton area

Report dog fouling in the Richmondshire area

You can report a dog fouling issue in the Richmondshire area online.

The fine for dog fouling is a £50 fixed penalty notice. If the fine is not paid or is contested, we will take action through the Magistrates’ Court which carries fines of up to £1,000. 

Report dog fouling in the Ryedale area

Report dog fouling in the Scarborough area

Report dog fouling in the Selby area

If we can identify the offender we can: 

  • issue a verbal or written warning – a witness would not be identified in this case 
  • take formal action via the courts – a witness must give a written statement and appear in court if needed. The witness must be able to identify the owner and the dog, giving details of the date, time and circumstances of the offence. Photographic or video evidence is helpful 

You can report a dog fouling issue in the Selby area online.

Report a full dog waste bin

Please report online full or damaged dog waste bins to us. 

Hambleton area - report full or damaged dog waste bins

Harrogate area - report full or damaged dog waste bins

Richmondshire area - report full dog waste bins

Scarborough area - report full or damaged dog waste bins

Selby area - report full dog waste bins

Complete our online form to report a full dog waste bin in the Selby area.

Pay your dog fine online

You can pay your dog fouling fine online using our secure payment system.

Pay your dog fouling fine for offences in the Hambleton area

The fine for dog fouling is a £50 fixed penalty notice. If you do not pay this fine, or it is contested, the Council will take action through the Magistrates’ Court which carries fines of up to £1,000, a criminal record, court costs, and victim surcharge.

Pay online now

Pay your dog fouling fine for offences in the Harrogate area

Use a current debit or credit card to pay your dog fouling fine for the Harrogate area online 

Contaminated faeces

Dog faeces can contain a number of things which can make people ill. The most well known infection is caused by Toxocara Canis - a common roundworm found in dogs. The Toxocara eggs are present in the faeces of dogs which have not been treated with the appropriate worming tablets. 

Those coming into contact with contaminated faeces, usually through swallowing, have a possibility of contracting an illness known as Toxocariasis. 

Frequently asked questions

Are all dogs infected with Toxocara Canis?

All puppies are likely to be born with Toxocara Canis so it is important for dog owners to worm their dogs regularly to get rid of the infection. Dogs can become re-infected if they come into contact with Toxocara eggs. 54% of dogs are never wormed.

What are the symptoms of Toxocariasis?

  • eye disorders – larvae can cause the growth of non-malignant tumours or detached retinas 
  • flu-like symptoms such as muscle aches, nausea, dizziness, asthma and epileptic fits (though this is not easy to confirm) 
  • total blindness is very rare 

How do you contract the disease?

You pick up the disease by swallowing the eggs. The eggs can stay in the soil for two years after the faeces have rotted away. The infection can be transmitted from: 

  • the hands of an individual 
  • wheels on toys 
  • the soles of shoes 
  • the dog themselves 

There are no treatments or cures for Toxocariasis. 

Is it safe to clear up after my dog?

Freshly passed faeces are safe to pick up as they are not a Toxocara hazard. Any eggs in the faeces take two or three weeks to mature before becoming infectious.