Is it a legal requirement to carry dog poop bags?
Katheryn Kunde
2025-06-19 22:05:50
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Not carrying the means to pick up after their dog is a criminal offence. A recent ramping up of rules and a zero tolerance policy by council enforcement officers has led to a major clampdown on anyone seen not picking up after their dog or not carrying the means to pick up, both of which are a criminal offence. Kim Seager, of Hereward Place, Scunthorpe, received a £100 fixed penalty notice for not carrying the means to pick up after her dog, also on Queensway. The recent ramping up of Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in North Lincolnshire came after local residents called for greater protection against nuisance behaviour and more stringent measures against perpetrators. As well as dog fouling it also included new bans on town centre cycling, street drinking and begging. Anyone seen breaking the law must give their details to council enforcement officers, and unpaid fines will be pursued by the courts.
Conor Stoltenberg
2025-06-17 00:48:20
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You no longer need to be caught not picking up dog mess, in several parts of the country almost anyone walking a dog risks a fine if they're caught out with their furry friend and don't have enough poo bags on them already.
Pet walkers in Lincolnshire, for example, can be challenged to prove their intention to pick up dog mess by producing some form of bag.
And anyone without a bag faces a fixed penalty notice of up to £100 or a fine of up to £1,000 if a case goes to court under rules that came into force in September.
While in Canterbury, you need to carry at least two.
As a rule of thumb, we'd expect people to be carrying at least two bags that can be used to dispose of dog excrement.
If they do not have these, they could receive a fixed penalty notice.
Councils are allowed to set their own rules by location, and not all take dog mess as seriously as the others.
Check your local council website for the exact details near you.
But generally the least you can expect if you're caught not cleaning up after your dog is a £50 fine.
Instead, it's the person "in charge of the dog" at the time that's held responsible according to the Dog Fouling Act of 2016.
Francisca Durgan
2025-06-03 20:14:48
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It is a legal requirement to clear up after your dog. Wherever you are in the UK you will face a fine of up to £80 of you fail to clean up your dog’s mess and are caught. You should always carry spare poo bags. If you don’t you could be breaking the law. That’s because, in some parts of the country, you no longer need to be simply spotted failing to pick up the mess, if you are caught out and about without a suitable dog waste bag you may face a fixed penalty notice of up to £100. Dog waste is being taken seriously and it is illegal to not pick up dog poo.
Vita Adams
2025-06-03 19:00:39
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These new rules legally oblige dog owners to clean up after their pets and carry proof of poo bags. If a council official or enforcement officer asks for proof of a poo bag and the owner fails to provide it, they could be given an on-the-spot £100 fixed penalty notice. Kingdom Local Authority Support (LAS), a community enforcement expert, is advising dog owners to carry at least two dog poo bags each time they walk their dogs. To not get caught out, we’d advise bringing at least two to avoid receiving a fine, even if you’re just out for a short walk. Your dog’s waste is your responsibility and will be recognised as such by enforcement officers.
Breana Kreiger
2025-06-03 18:18:08
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You should always have a ‘means’ to pick up your dog foul. There is no set limit of dog bags you should carry at any one time, however it is advisable that you carry more than enough to make sure you’re covered for any unforeseen circumstances. What happens if I am stopped by an authorised officer and I don’t have any dog bags with me? You may be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice or prosecuted.
Trevor Harber
2025-06-03 18:11:48
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The law states that being unaware a dog has fouled or not having a suitable bag is not a reasonable excuse. Anyone who fails to clear up after their dog can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £100. If the case goes to court this could cost the owner or person in charge of the animal up to £1,000. There is no excuse to leave it. Through our campaigns, we have also highlighted to dog owners that any bin will do for their pet’s mess. While some councils do provide dedicated dog-fouling bins, any public bin can take the waste.
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