Bag it and bin it...or face a £50 fine

Rochdale Council is reminding dog owners in the borough to bag it and bin it or face a £50 fine if they fail to do so.

Over the last 12 months the council has received 350 reports of dog fouling incidents across the borough, and as part of its Big Clean campaign the council is acting tough on those who are caught failing to clean up after their animal.

Councillor Wera Hobhouse, cabinet member for environment and sustainability at the council, said: “Leaving dog mess for other people to see is downright appalling and to leave the clear up operation to the council is disrespectful to taxpayers as the money could be better spent on other things.

“The council’s enforcement officers will not hesitate to issue £50 fixed penalty notices to those who are caught not clearing up after their dog. There is no excuse. Bag it and bin it, or face the consequences.”

The council provides free ‘poop the scoop’ bags at its customer service centres and community centres located throughout the borough. However, if dog owners don’t have a ‘poop the scoop’ bag to hand they should use a carrier bag, tie it up tightly and dispose of it in any street litter bin.

To report dog fouling in your neighbourhood, call the Big Clean team on 0845 226 1800 or email environmental.management@rochdale.gov.uk