Responsible dog ownership campaign

We carry out responsible dog ownership campaigns in hotspot areas countywide. Education and engagement involves:

• our anti-dog fouling mascot Scoop the dog visiting schools to educate youngsters on the importance of being a responsible dog owner
• free dog micro chipping events
• street signage erected in hotspot dog fouling areas to encourage people to pick up after their dog
• increased Neighbourhood Wardens in the target area

Being a responsible dog owner

A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) means we can fine irresponsible dog owners. Find out more on Enforcement powers for irresponsible dog owners.

Top tips

• Your dog must be walked and exercised with a responsible dog owner present.
• Never allow your dog to wander, roam loose or exercise on its own.
• You must pick up after your dog and dispose of waste properly.
• Bagged dog foul can be put in public waste bins or you can take your bagged dog waste home with you and place it into your household rubbish bin.
• Please do not put dog waste in your recycling bin as it will contaminate your recycling.

Identification tags and microchips

Legally, all dogs must wear a collar and ID tag when out in public, which must detail their owner's name and address. They must also be microchipped. Microchips sometimes, however, move - making them hard to find. And sometimes details are not updated, so a back identification tag helps our neighbourhood wardens reunite dogs with their owners, also keeping communities free of stray dogs. 

Identification tags and microchips help to identify your dog if it becomes lost or a stray dog.

See Dog microchipping, collars and ID tags for more information.

#FollowOurLead campaign

Our #FollowOurLead campaign helps to educate and engage with dog owners to promote responsible dog ownership across the county. Download our #FollowOurLead educational postcard (PDF, 313 KB) and #FollowOurLead educational poster (PDF, 448 KB) for further details.

Report dog fouling