Dog poo rules 'tricky' to police, say officers

Enforcement Officers Jason Washington and Ben Walker ensure people clean up after their pets

The team responsible for enforcing new dog fouling rules in parts of Lincolnshire have admitted they are "tricky" to police.

Public Space Protection Orders in East Lindsey and Boston make it a legal requirement for owners to clean up after their dogs, and prove they have dog poo bags if asked by council officials.

Owners who can not prove they have bags are given £100 fixed penalty notices (FPNs).

From Saturday 1 February, similar rules are due to be enforced in the South Holland District Council area.

Dog walker Natalie Drury says the enforcement patrols are a "good idea"

A total of 107 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) have been issued across Boston and East Lindsey since 2022 for breaching dog fouling rules.

Boston Borough Council issued 31 and East Lindsey District Council handed out 76.

The leader of the team issuing FPNs across the three areas, Jason Washington, said "dog fouling is notoriously difficult to catch" and there had been a "hugely positive" response to their patrols.

"As soon as you put a uniformed officer in a park or public space people tend to pick up after their dogs," he said.

"It also allows us to make sure that those people who are walking their dogs are actively abiding by their local Public Space Protection Orders by carrying poo bags and the means to pick up."

However, Mr Washington said the public space protection orders were "quite tricky" to police, and said officers rely on tip-offs from the public to create more targeted patrols.

'Good idea'

Natalie Drury, who was stopped by enforcement officers while walking her dog in Boston town centre, said dog fouling "is definitely" a problem.

She said it was "a good idea" to challenge people on whether they could pick up after their pets.

"It needs doing, definitely," she said.

"I think you're doing a good job," she told enforcement officers.

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Councillor Anthony Casson, portfolio holder for public protection at South Holland District Council, said: "We recognise that most people act responsibly when exercising their dogs.

"However, complaints about dog fouling, and the positive response from the public consultation, support us taking action.

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