Dog fouling is when a dog fouls in a public or shared space without the owner immediately picking it up for safe disposal. Dog foul is unpleasant and can pose a health risk to the public.
If your dog fouls in a public place, you must immediately clean up the mess under the terms of the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003.
Our Environmental Crime Team covers the whole of East Ayrshire, and they will investigate any complaints or reports about dog fouling and will issue fixed penalty notices where evidence of an offence can be confirmed.
Local Authorities have a legal duty to keep areas clear of dog foul.
Bins
A number of dog bins are located throughout East Ayrshire and these are maintained by Greener Communities.
If a dog bin in your area requires to be serviced, please contact us.
Report an issue to Greener Communities
Fines
If you do not clean up after your dog you may face a £80 on-the-spot fine, increasing to £100 if not paid within 28 days. If you refuse to pay the fine, you may be prosecuted and may face a court appearance with a maximum penalty of £500.
Registered blind dog owners are exempt from penalties.
Reporting
If you see dog fouling in a public area, please report it to Environmental Health, contact details provided below. Give as much detail as you can, such as:
- name and address of the offender
- description of the owner/dog
- times of day that you see dog foul appearing in an area to help target patrols
Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN)
Authorised officers of East Ayrshire Council have the power to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) charge as an alternative to prosecution for environmental offences such as dog fouling.
Find out more about Fixed Penalty Notices for environmental crimes.