Doubling dog poo problem is 'not nice for anyone'

Jackie and Paul Benson said they always carried multiple bags and kitchen paper in their pockets as it was "just something you do" when you have a dog

Would you rather pay a £100 fine or pick up your dog's poo with your bare hands?

In a corner of Nottinghamshire where dog fouling seems to be a growing problem, one ill-prepared man chose the latter, said councillor Rob Inglis.

Rushcliffe Borough Council said it had received nearly 40 reports of dog fouling across the borough since 1 January - doubling its previous monthly average of 10 reports.

Inglis, who deals with environment and safety, said the reports to the council were just "the tip of the iceberg".

The council wants to renew its Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which excludes Tollerton, that was introduced three years ago to address dog control in the borough.

It gives the authority power to issue on-the-spot fines of £100, or people can face a prosecution fine of up to £1,000.

The village of Keyworth has been identified as a particular hotspot in recent months.

A public consultation to renew a PSPO will end in March

Jackie and Paul Benson, both in their 70s, regularly walk through the village and said they had noticed an increase in dog poo on their route.

"We've seen some people pick up, but, you know - some of the excrement that's come out of a dog has been the size of a human being's - so I understand the upset [when people don't]," Mrs Benson said.

Mr Benson added: "Picking up what [your dog] does is part and parcel of it, and that's what you have to accept when you take on a dog in the first place.

"I think that the problem with a lot of people is they see it as too much trouble."

Susan Cannell believes the problem has worsened after being addressed a few years ago

Susan Cannell, a villager of 15 years, said she watched one walker leave their dog's mess in her garden.

"It was bad a few years back, but then we got it all sorted, but it's started coming back again, and down the street where I live, there's quite a bit.

"It's not nice for anyone," she said.

She added most people followed the rules but thought catching the culprits was difficult.

The council is currently holding a public consultation on a proposal to renew its PSPO in July.

But 93-year-old resident David Potter was not convinced powers to issue a financial penalty helped.

'Be responsible'

"I don't think the fine will do any good because - how are they going to catch them?" he said.

He thought, however, more warning signs around the village could work as a deterrent "for a while".

Mr Potter added while he had not seen a "noticeable increase" in dog mess on the streets, he had noticed bags were being "thrown into people's gardens".

Joanne Baker, 58, believed dog fouling in the countryside was worse but felt the penalty should remain in place in Rushcliffe.

"We've all had occasions where you run out of a bag. I've even knocked on a neighbour's door and said 'can I have a carrier bag' or you'd flag down another dog owner - that happens occasionally - but generally you should be responsible," she said.

Ms Baker (left) and her mother believe financial penalties are a suitable deterrent

Inglis said residents' complaints and social media comments had highlighted a growing problem in the village in the last couple of months.

"I know one man who was challenged who then just picked it up with his hands to avoid the fine but that's not an appropriate means - though perhaps a bit of karma," he said.

The council received a total of 120 reports of dog fouling in 2024, which the councillor expected to increase.

He said he believed the issue was being exacerbated by a "small minority".

"It's just those few that we need to get the message across to, and if that's going to be by enforcement with a £100 ticket each time then so be it.

"But you know, take a bag with you, that's the bottom line. "

There are a number of dog bins around the village