Dog fouling

Help to keep the village and play areas clean and safe. Find out how to report dog mess and how to report full bins.

Many residents in Hartford are concerned about dog mess on village pavements and children’s play areas. At Hartford Parish Council, we share this concern.

Apart from being unsightly, dog mess poses health risks – particularly to children, who may play on grass and come into contact with it. In severe cases, dog dirt can cause partial or total loss of sight or Toxocariasis, due to worm eggs being ingested. Getting dog mess into wounds may also cause infections.

It is an offence not to remove any faeces deposited by your dog, and the offence carries a maximum penalty of £1,000. (Please note – this does not apply to people who are blind and those with other trained assistance dogs for specific disabilities).

Please follow this advice to clean up after your dog:

Always carry bags, or get a poop scoop from a local pet shop
Dispose of the bag correctly – either by using a dog waste or litter bin, or taking it home and placing it in your own bin. Do not dump the bag in a hedge, next to (but not in) a bin, or elsewhere. This is littering, and carries the same penalty as dog fouling
Never let your dog out alone and always keep your eye on what they are doing
Worm your dog regularly. Vets normally advise worming dogs every three to four months.

Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) is responsible for ensuring our roads, pavements and public land are kept as clean as possible.

If you see dog mess on the streets or parks, please report it to Cheshire West and Chester Council. When CWAC receive a report, they will aim to clear the area within the next 24 hours during the working week, Monday to Friday.

If bins in the village are full, please don’t leave bags on the top of, or by the side of, the bin. This is illegal and offenders risk an on-the-spot fine. Please take the bag to another bin or take it home. You can report full bins to Cheshire West and Chester Council.