Dog Fouling & Toxocara

North Wiltshire District Council enforces a law which requires people to pick up any faeces left by their dog on any land within the administrative area of NWDC which is open to the air, including covered land which is open to the air on at least one side and to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access with or wihtout payment.

It also includes all pedestrianised areas to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access with or without payment wihtin the area of NWDC.

If anyone does not remove faeces from land covered by this Order they may be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice or they may be prosecuted.  If a Fixed Penalty Notice is issued it will be £75.00 (with a reduction to £50.00 if paid within 14 days of the issue of the Fixed Penalty Notice). The maximum fine for such an offence is currently £1,000.00 on conviction.

You will find bins located at various points throughout the district which can be used to dispose of dog faeces.  There are currently red bins which are specifically for the disposal of dog faeces, however, normal waste bins may also be used to dispose of dog faeces providing it is in a sealed bag.

If no bins are readily available the dog faeces should be taken home and disposed of in a hygienic manner.

Please click on the link below to view The Dog Control Orders Regulations 2006

Toxocara

Toxocara, commonly called Roundworm, is a natural parasite of dogs and cats.

All dogs can occasionally develop new roundworm infections whose eggs are spread in the faeces. The owner is unlikely to notice any signs of this.

Toxocara eggs, once on the soil, are invisible and are quickly spread by earthworms and insects. The eggs are infective once they have hatched and this requires moist, warm conditions. Even so, eggs can survive very cold conditions. If the eggs are swallowed by a person through hand to mouth contact the minute worms hatch out and burrow through the gut wall, spreading into the blood stream. They may then enter body tissues. If they enter the eye they can cause permanent blindness, a condition which affects 100 - 200 people each year in the UK. Other symptoms of the infection include dizziness, nausea, asthma and epileptic fits.

Regular worming of your dog can prevent Toxocara being a problem and the immediate clearance of any dog faeces will avoid any eggs present being spread. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

For information on Responsible Dog Ownership, please click on the link below:

www.defra.gov.uk/environment/localenv/dogs/owner.htm