Dog control, dog fouling and penalties
How the rules are enforced
The fine (or Fixed Penalty Notice) for these offences is £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 7 days.
Council Officers have the power to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice for dog fouling and dog control offences.
If you don't pay the fine:
- firstly you will get warning letters to the address you provided on the Fixed Penalty Notice
- if you still don't pay, you will be taken to court and prosecuted - the maximum fine on conviction in the Magistrates' Court is £1,000
Sometimes, prosecution will be pursued from the beginning, such as repeat offenders or circumstances where the offence is so serious that it merits prosecution. For example, a dog owner who allows their dog to be dangerously out of control, despite being directed by an officer to put it on a lead, may risk prosecution rather than being issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice.