Why do I need to clear up after my dog?

Clearing up after your dog helps prevent the spread of some nasty infections and diseases. Dog mess can contain roundworm parasites which cause Toxocariasis in humans. It is spread from animals to humans through contact with infected faeces. Toxocariasis symptoms include dizziness and nausea, asthma and epileptic seizures. It can even lead to serious eye damage or permanent blindness. Dog mess also harbours parasites that can harm farm animals especially cows and sheep.

Please don’t let your dog foul a public right of way or open space.

It is easy to train your dog to go in the garden before taking it out for a walk. Always carry a plastic bag with you so that if your dog is caught short you can pick up its mess and dispose of it in a bin.

What could happen if I don’t clear up my dog’s mess?

If you don’t clear up after your dog, Community Police Officers and the council’s dog warden can serve you with a fixed penalty notice; you could be prosecuted and, if found guilty, fined up to £1,000.

Extracted from Wiltshire Council’s A Guide for Dog Owners and Dog Walkers