It is illegal to allow your dog, or any dog you are in charge of, to foul the footpath or any other public place. Dog fouling is a nuisance and also a real danger, particularly to young children and can cause serious illnesses.

Responsible dog owners clean up after their dog by using a bag or a poop scoop to remove their dog's mess and dispose of it safely. Braintree District Council provides dog mess bins for the safe disposal of dog mess.

What can we all do about dog fouling? Report it!

Please report any dog fouling incidents to us.

Please call our Customer Service Centre on 01376 552525

or Email - csc@braintree.gov.uk

Report dog owners who don't clean up after their dog.
It is illegal for anyone in charge of a dog to allow it to foul "a public area" and not clean up after it. We're cracking down on irresponsible dog owners. If you know of a dog owner that regularly fails to clean up, please let us know.

Cleaning and removal.

Braintree Council provides special dog waste bins in many of our parks and other dog fouling hotspots. The bins are clearly indicated by a sign. Each year the council many more bins to help dog owners dispose of dog waste more easily and hygienically.

Raising awareness

The council's dog wardens run responsible dog ownership campaigns during the summer months attending a number of local events.

Prosecutions and the law

The council will prosecute people who persistently allows their dog to foul in parks, on footpaths or any other public area. The Dog (Fouling on Land) Act 1996 states that if convicted, the person in charge of the dog at the time of the offence (not necessarily the owner) can face a fine of up to £1000. In addition this council will issue a fixed penalty notices to anyone who has failed to clean up after their dog.

Remember, it is illegal to allow your dog to foul the following areas:
· All footpaths, footways and roads maintained at public expense.
· All grass verges, shrub beds and tree bases maintained at public expense.
· All parks, play areas, cemeteries and leisure land owned and maintained by the council.
· All parts of council owned housing estates including grassed areas, shrub areas, play areas, footpaths and roadways in common use, stairwells, balconies and walkways open to the air and all external areas to council owned public buildings.

Toxocara - know the risks

You've probably heard of toxocara, but do you know exactly what it is and how to prevent it? Even if you don't have a pet, make sure you're aware of the risks.

What is toxocara?

Toxocara is the name given to a species of roundworm commonly found in dogs and cats. Virtually all puppies are born with Toxocara. Puppies and kittens can also be infected with Toxocara through their mother's milk or from environmental contamination.

The type of toxocara found in dogs can endanger human health. The type of toxocara found in cats has only rarely been associated with cases of Toxocariasis (Toxocara infection).

How is toxocara spread?

Microscopic toxocara eggs are present in the faeces of infected animals. These eggs have thick, sticky shells which means that they can remain infective in the soil for two to four years after the faeces have disappeared. The sticky shell helps eggs to adhere to fingers or clothing.

How do humans become infected with toxocara?

By accidentally swallowing the infective Toxocara eggs.

This is why crawling babies and toddlers are most at risk; they tend to put dirty fingers and toys into their mouths. Medical records show that approximately 100 new cases of Toxocariasis are diagnosed each year.

What happens once humans get infected?

Once swallowed, Toxocara eggs release larvae into the intestine. These larvae travel through the body until they die, which may take several years.

The symptoms of this disease can be unpleasant and difficult to treat. They can include stomach upset and pain, headache, sore throat, wheezing and listlessness. In some cases, larvae reach the eyes where they can cause sight problems and in some cases blindness.

Toxocara prevention - a 10 step guide

Make sure that children always wash their hands, especially after playing outside and before eating. Discourage your child from sucking its fingers. This is one of the most common ways for children to get infected. Don't allow children to play on the ground and eat using their fingers at the same time. Be sure that floors where children play at home are cleaned with antibacterial cleaners. This practice kills Toxocara eggs that may have been transported into your home on your shoes or on your pet's paws. Don't put small children on the entrance floors of public buildings. Don't leave young children unsupervised with a pet. Fence around play areas to keep your children safe and also to keep dogs away from play equipment. Train cats to use litter trays. Cover sandpits to keep cats and dogs out. 10.Always clear up pet faeces immediately using a nappy sack, a carrier bag or a poop scoop bag, and deposit it in the nearest dog bin or, if at home, in a safe and secure bin.