Dog fouling

It is illegal to not pick up dog mess from any public place or footpath that is left by your dog, or any dog you are looking after. Dog mess on the streets or in a park is unpleasant and poses a real health risk through a disease called Toxocariasis.

Toxocariasis is caused by an infection from parasites in dog faeces, more commonly known as roundworm. It is particularly harmful to children and symptoms include eye disorders, vague aches, dizziness, nausea, asthma and epileptic fits.

What we do

Dog fouling is an environmental crime. The law allows our Environmental Crime Enforcement Officers to give anyone seen not clearing up after their dog an on-the-spot fine called a fixed penalty notice (FPN). The FPN is for £50, but if you are prosecuted in court for dog fouling you could receive a maximum fine of £1,000.

What you can do

If you are walking your dog, make sure you carry poop scoop bags so you can easily pick up any of your dog’s mess. For hygiene reasons, you must double-bag the dog mess when disposing of it in any of our litter bins. If you use a dog waste bin in a park, the dog mess can be disposed of in a single bag.

If you do not have any poop scoop bags with you, you can pick them up for free from our street cleaners or any park wardens.

Report dog fouling to us by calling the Service Centre on 020 7926 9000, email streetcarecallcentre@lambeth.gov.uk or use our online street cleaning and sweeping form.

For more information on being a dog owner in Lambeth go to the responsible dog ownership pages.