Agenda item

By Councillor Cowdy - Dog Fouling

“Committee recognises:

1.      That all parties produced manifestos for the last Council election with an emphasis on improving street cleanliness, better enforcement, and upkeep of the public realm across the city. Dog fouling has long been an issue blighting the city with unacceptable, offensive, and unhygienic mess in the Public Realm including on pavements, parks, playparks, and sports grounds.

Notes:

2.      Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home suggests approximately 24% of the population own dogs with the number living in Edinburgh estimated at around 13,000 dogs and, whilst the vast majority of owners act responsibly, there remain a significant number who leave their dog’s foul on the ground or who do not properly dispose of their waste bags. Over the last 3 years there have been, on average, 1,288 Street Cleansing Dog Fouling requests each year. Over the last 6 years there have been, on average, 347 Street Enforcement Dog Fouling complaints each year.

Further Notes:

3.      The Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003 (the “2003 Act”) makes it an offence for a person in charge of a dog not to clear away the excrement. The Act also enables local authorities to issue fixed penalty notices of £80 to offenders. In 2021, only four fixed penalty fines were issued by CEC reflecting the difficulties prosecuting under the current regime even though it only requires the evidence of one witness to justify a fine for dog fouling.

Further recognises:

4.      The number of dog fouling complaints raised by the public is low and mostly reflects apathy with lack of enforcement rather than concern about the problem.

Committee therefore:

5.      Calls for a report to be provided to Transport and Environment Committee within 4 cycles presenting options to help combat dog fouling that includes improving enforcement, the use of Fixed Penalty Notices, and the practicalities of establishing a Dog DNA register for the city, how it could be enforced, likely costs to set up and run, and how much might be funded through issuance of fines.”