Dog owners who don't pick up their pooch's poo to be fined

Camden Council is planning to bring in a new order to deal with anti-social behaviour from “a minority of irresponsible dog owners”.

The town hall is likely to set up a three-year public spaces protection order after the previous one expired in  April 2020, just after lockdown began.

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It means dog owners could be fined if they do not clear up dog faeces, fail to put their dog on a lead if asked by an enforcement officer or if they take dogs into areas where they are banned.

People who flout the rules could get a £100 fixed penalty notice (FPN) or a fine of £1,000 if taken to court.

A town hall report said there were “regular complaints around dog fouling, through to fear and intimidation when dogs are not controlled or are misused by their owners".

It added: "Such lack of control can result in attacks on other animals and, even though rare, attacks on humans can occur.”

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The council does not expect to give out many fines but hopes it will be a deterrent.

The order will not include Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, which are cared for by The Royal Parks, or Hampstead Heath, which is run by the City of London Corporation.

Dogs will not have to be on leads in the council’s 76 parks and many open spaces, apart from Hampstead cemetery.

There will be exemptions for visually impaired and other dog owners with disabilities.

People may be asked to put their dogs on leads because of concerns about dog attacks.

“Although such serious attacks are rare, they can have an enormous impact and there remains a minority of irresponsible dog owners who do not adequately control their dogs and thus pose a risk to communities in Camden,” the council said.

In a consultation 98%, or 631 people said they supported action against people who do not clear up dog mess.

The suggestion that enforcement officers could ask people to use leads was strongly supported by 95%, or 611 respondents.

The move is due to be discussed by the council's cabinet on Wednesday (February 22).