Press Release
Spotlight on dog fouling
With the nights drawing in the Neighbourhood Support Workers in Shetland are reporting a 60% increase in dog fouling on the streets compared to the summer months. Environmental Health have launched a new poster campaign to draw attention to the fact that dog fouling is completely unacceptable, whether it happens during the day or after dark.
It is an offence to not clean up after your dog in a public place. This offence carries a fixed penalty fine of £40, going up to £60 if not paid within 28 days.
Executive Manager for Environmental Health and Trading Standards Maggie Dunne asks that anyone seeing dog owners not cleaning up after their animals contact Environmental Health. She said:
“The majority of dog owners do pick up after their dogs. But, there is a selfish minority who are leaving our public areas filthy. We need you to help us target these owners and make our proactive patrols more effective.
“If you see someone letting their dog foul please contact the Environmental Health Department on 01595 74 4801 with the person’s name, a description of the dog and the time and place that it happened. We will then make contact with the owner to remind them to clean up after their dog and target patrols in the area so we can catch them and issue a fine if they still aren’t clearing up.”