Do you pick up after your pooch?: 284 people fined for dog fouling offences

The Council oversees the rules and regulations around dogs through the use of a Public Space protection Order (PSPO). The order relates to a range of different such as:

• Dogs in the cemetery after closing time

• Dogs on Cleethorpes Beach within the restricted period and restricted area (Good Friday to 30 September, from Wonderland rock groyne to Cleethorpes Leisure Centre)

• Dogs off lead during opening times for all cemeteries, green burial areas and woodland burial areas

• Dogs off lead in parks and open spaces when in use for an organised event

• Failing to clear dog mess

• Dogs within restricted areas e.g. fenced/enclosed children’s play area

• Dogs within the bowling green recreation field at Sussex Recreational Ground, Cleethorpes

Those found to be in breach of the order can be issued with a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN). Failure to pay can result in prosecution at court and a fine of up to £1000.

Residents are urged to put their dog waste in bins across the borough, which are all emptied daily or weekly.

However, should anyone wish to report an incident of dog fouling, they should complete a PSPO breach by visiting Dog mess and dog control | NELC.

Between September 2023 and August 2024, 284 FPNs were issued in relation to the dog control PSPO. Offences included:

• Dogs in excluded area – 5

• Dog fouling – 8

• Dogs on beach – 250

• Leads not being worn – 2

• No means to pick up dog mess – 12

• Other – 7

Councillor Ron Shepherd, Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “It’s very clear what the rules are and any dog owner should know that they have to pick their pets waste up when out walking.

“It isn’t right that others should have to report it or made to manoeuvre around it when out in the borough. Those who are found to have breached the PSPO will be prosecuted and dealt with accordingly, it a serious issue that we are fully committed to tackling.

“Further enforcement action is to take place across the borough especially in our parks and open spaces as well as Cleethorpes and Immingham town centres.”