Petition to Newcastle City Council: Please Invest in Keep Britain Tidy’s Dog Fouling Interventions

Dog fouling—whether loose or bagged—is a persistent problem in our parks, pavements, and green spaces. It isn’t just unpleasant; it’s dangerous, carrying a risk of infections like toxocariasis, which can cause dizziness, asthma and even blindness or seizures.

Importantly, dog mess left behind is also hazardous to other dogs and likely to local wildlife, e.g. foxes. Not all dog owners keep their pets vaccinated or wormed, which means parasites and serious infectious diseases can easily be passed on to other people’s dogs or wild animals that come into contact with contaminated areas. This creates a health hazard not just for people but for all the animals that share our city.

Dog fouling is also addressed in environmental law. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, dog mess left in public places can be classified as “litter.” Local authorities are empowered to issue fixed penalty notices to anyone who does not clean up after their dog. In Newcastle, Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) made under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 further reinforce these responsibilities, making it an offence to fail to pick up dog waste in designated areas. These laws give councils the authority to fine offenders and help ensure that our public spaces remain safe and pleasant for everyone.

Further, dog fouling is not only a potential public health hazard and anti-social activity, it is also a public nuisance that is unacceptable in any place to which the community has lawful access. The law of public nuisance in England and Wales has expanded to cover behaviours that significantly interfere with public rights or harm public health or comfort—including anti-social acts like leaving dog mess in public spaces. The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 introduced a new statutory offence for intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance, abolishing the old common law offence and clarifying the threshold for prosecution.

Under this law, a person commits an offence if they do any act—or omit to do a legally prescribed act—that causes serious harm to the public or a cross-section of the public, or obstructs the public in the exercise or enjoyment of rights common to the public.  This includes the quiet enjoyment of the outdoor built or natural environment, and they are aware that their conduct will, or may, have such consequences. “Serious harm” is defined to include serious distress, serious annoyance, serious inconvenience, or serious loss of amenity, as well as causing any risk of harm to the public’s health, safety, or wellbeing. This now means that allowing dog fouling to occur in our streets and parks is not just inconsiderate and unpleasant—it can also be prosecuted as a public nuisance offence under current law.

Pet owners also have a legal responsibility to safeguard their animals’ health and prevent unnecessary suffering, under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022. However, this is difficult when anti-social dog owners do not clean up properly.  The Sentience Act recognises that all vertebrate animals—whether domestic (owned) or wild—are sentient beings capable of experiencing feelings and suffering. Failing to protect animals’ health can result in costly vet bills, as well as potential legal consequences. Preventable illnesses caused by contact with dog mess—such as worm infestations or transmissible diseases—can lead to unnecessary suffering and expenses for responsible pet owners.

While most dog owners do the right thing, it only takes a few careless individuals to turn our shared spaces into health hazards. With over 13 million dogs in the UK, Newcastle cannot afford to ignore this issue.

Keep Britain Tidy has developed award-winning campaigns and innovations—like their “We’re Watching You” glow-in-the-dark signs—which have reduced dog fouling by up to 77% in targeted areas and up to 46% with their signs alone. Their message is clear: there’s no excuse for leaving dog mess behind, and any public bin can be used for disposal.

We urge Newcastle City Council to:

Invest in the proven campaigns and signage offered by Keep Britain Tidy, including the “We’re Watching You” glow-in-the-dark signs;
Increase public awareness that “Any Bin Will Do” for dog waste;
Enforce existing Public Spaces Protection Orders, ensuring on-the-spot fines for offenders;
Partner with Keep Britain Tidy to educate and change nuisance behaviours among irresponsible dog owners;
Our parks, green spaces and streets should be places everyone can enjoy safely. By supporting this petition, you’re helping to keep Newcastle clean, healthy, and welcoming for all—people, pets and wildlife alike.

Sign below to show your support for a cleaner, safer Newcastle!

For more information on the campaign and the impact of these measures, visit Keep Britain Tidy: Dog Fouling and for best practice, see Keep Britain Tidy: Dog Fouling Interventions.

 

References

Keep Britain Tidy. (n.d.). Dog Fouling. Retrieved from https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/dog-fouling
UK Government. (2006). Animal Welfare Act 2006. Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/45/contents
UK Government. (2022). Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022. Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/21/enacted
UK Government. (2022). Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, Section 78. Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/32/section/78/enacted
5.      The Environmental Protection Act 1990, Section 87

 Newcastle’s enforcement of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.