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Dog fouling across Rhondda Cynon Taf is a major problem and the Council is cracking down on irresponsible pet owners.
In a bid to keep the County Borough clean, tidy and free from harmful dog waste the Council has a dedicated team of Enforcement and Awareness offiers who are out in force watching out for eco-criminals who commit the eco-crime of dog fouling!
Under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 it is an offence if you allow your dog to foul in public places and then fail to clean up the waste and dispose of it properly. A public place includes roadways, footpaths, parks, car parks, shopping centres and other people’s gardens – basically anywhere that there are public!
If you fail to clean up after your dog, you could face a hefty fine of at least £75, a criminal record if you fail to pay the fine or even worse, you could endanger the life of others.
The biggest threat to public health from dog excrement is toxocariasis.
Toxocariasis is an infection of the roundworm toxocara canis. The eggs of the parasite can be found in soil or sand contaminated with faeces and if swallowed, result in infection that lasts between six and 24 months or sometimes a lifetime. Symptoms include eye disorders, blindness, vague ache, dizziness, nausea, asthma and epileptic fits. Often the eggs are ingested when passed to the mouth by the hands, but this can also occur through contact with dogs or other inanimate objects including the wheels of toys and the soles of shoes. Infected soil samples are often found in play areas and as a result, Toxocariasis most commonly affects children between 18 months and five years.
The Council is committed to helping dog owners do the right thing and provide hundreds of specific bins in local parks and other areas regularly used by dog walkers. If there is no dog bin on your dog walking route it is your responsibility to remove the waste and take it home with you for disposal. Free dog fouling bags are available from all libraries and One4All Centres| throughout the County Borough
Rhys Cycle regularly visit schools across Rhondda Cynon Taf accompanied by the Council’s Streetcare Enforcement and Awareness team to highlight the dangers of dog fouling and more and more young people are now joining in the fight to help stamp it out. All around the County Borough you will see dog fouling posters designed by young people highlighting the implications for dog owners who fail to pick up after their dogs.
The Streetcare Enforcement and Awareness Officers have the power to issue on-the-spot fixed penalty notices of £75 for each dog fouling offence.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who is liable for the fine?
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How do I pay a fine?
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What if I don’t pay my fine?
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How can I report a dog-fouling problem?
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Contact Us
Who is liable for the fine?
Under the regulations the person who is in charge of the dog at the time of the fouling is liable to pay the £75 fine if they do not clean up immediately after the animal.
How do I pay a fine?
Cheques or Postal orders made payable to: “Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC” should be sent to - The Service Director for Streetcare, Rhondda Cynon Taf Streetcare Services, Ty Glantaf, Unit B23, Treforest Industrial Estate, Pontypridd, CF37 5TT by post or in person.
What if I don’t pay my fine?
If you have been issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice by one of the Council’s Streetcare Enforcement and Awareness Officers then under the terms of the fine you will be required to pay the charge within 14 days from the date the notice was issued.
Should you choose not to pay the fine within the 14 days the Council will look to prosecute via Court proceedings as part of the Authority’s policy to improve the environment and to reduce such eco-crimes within the boundary of Rhondda Cynon Taf.
How can I report a dog-fouling problem?
If you would like to report dog fouling please use the online form| or go to our contact details at the end of this page.
When you contact us, please give us as much information as possible including the following:
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Where is the dog fouling?
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Do you know the person who allowed the dog fouling?
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Are you prepared to help us to prosecute people who allow dog fouling by agreeing to make a statement about the incident?
Contact Us
The Service Director for Streetcare
Rhondda Cynon Taf Streetcare Services
Ty Glantaf
Unit B23, Treforest Industrial Estate
Pontypridd
CF37 5TT
Tel: 01443 425001
Fax: 01443 844310
Email: Customer.Services@rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk|