ONLY two fines for dog fouling have been issued since 2021 in the Highland Council area, prompting local politicians to call out “lazy and selfish” pet owners who create the “health hazard”.
Despite only two fines being issued over the last three and a half years, the Highland Council have received an average of 107 complaints about dog fouling each year, since late January 2021.
It was also revealed that no fines for dog fouling have been issued yet this year, as of September 1 2024. However, of the two £80 fines issued since 2021, both have been paid.
The limited number of fines issued come as no surprise due to the fact that assistant community works officers, who are employed by the council to take care of subjects such as dog fouling, also oversee issues of abandoned vehicles, dog control, littering and fly tipping throughout the Highland region.
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• Highland prisoners have weapons, drugs and mobile phones seized
• Highlands and Islands police area records crashes involving 585 drivers over a 13-month period
The Highland Council said that there is “presently only one [community works] officer working in the area described” in the Ross-shire Journal Freedom of Information request put to the council.
Multiple Highland MSPs and local councillors have shared their opinion on the difficult-to-tackle issue.
Black Isle councillor, Sarah Atkin said: “The statistic of just two fines for dog fouling will rightly see the public wondering why we publicise fines if they’re so rarely used. That said, it might be extremely difficult to gather sufficient evidence to impose a fine — this is information I do not have. Therefore, I shall be raising this with the Chair of the Communities and Place Committee.
“In the meantime, I must applaud efforts from communities in my ward to address and prevent this problem. I see partnership and community empowerment as the way forward in tackling many of these issues. Owners who allow their dogs to foul public spaces are not only lazy, they’re selfish.”
Highlands and Islands MSP, Ariane Burgess stated: “Dog fouling is unpleasant and a health hazard. Most dog owners are responsible and clean up after their dogs, but it’s important the law is enforced against those who do not. Highland Council’s community-led Green Dog Walkers scheme is a great initiative but these volunteers must be supported by real enforcement action on those who don’t clean up after their pets.”
Highlands and Islands MSP, Emma Roddick commented: “It’s a shame that the impact on the wider community and environment isn’t enough to encourage dog owners to pick up their pet’s litter, however, sadly, we know that a fine is sometimes needed to make people think twice. That only works if people believe they might get caught, and officers have to catch them in the act.
“I am always happy to raise issues with the Highland Council where people have noticed enforcement isn’t acting as a deterrent and explore with the local authority how this work could be strengthened in a cost-effective way, and I encourage people to report unacceptable behaviour in the meantime.”
A spokesperson for Highland Council said: “The commission of the offence must be witnessed, the dog owner must knowingly not lift the fouling when it happens. Unfortunately, the majority of dog fouling occurs in the early/late evening and early morning before officers come on duty.
“We have however, undertaken patrols during out of hours in problem areas to detect culprits. In addition to dog fouling, the council employ Dog wardens to enforce legislation for abandoned vehicles, out of control dogs, fly tipping, pest control and littering. There are eight officers covering the entire Highland Council area.
“The employment of the officers is not linked solely with the collection and issuing of fines. The officers endeavour to educate the public in all aspects of the legislation they enforce and work with sister agencies to protect public health and safety.
“To create awareness, the officers put up posters in local areas affected to highlight the problem and increase patrols in those areas where fouling has been found. Evening patrols and early morning patrols have been carried out with little effect on the fouling. Education has also been carried out through local events and school visits by wardens.
“We will continue to work with local communities to try and reduce the presence of dog fouling in our communities.”