Britain is well known for being a nation of dog lovers. Dogs have had a role in society for centuries. They have been used as working dogs; they make a faithful family pet and throughout history have been loyal companions to the British Monarchy.

Whether they are 'by Royal Appointment' or just a hapless hound, every dog has something in common that makes them the scourge of the human race - dog poop.

However it is unfair to blame the canine population, it is the responsibilty of the dog owner to ensure that they clean up after their dog. Although there are a great number of owners that do clear it up, there are still some people who feel it is unhygienic; but it is even more of a health hazard to leave it on pavements, in parks and playgrounds, or even on the beach. It is also against the law.

Man's Best Friend

• There are around 24 million UK households and, in 2002, the number of households owning dogs was 4.8 million.
• 21% of households with dogs have more than one.
• The highest levels of dog ownership are in the 45 to 54 year-old age group - around 30%¹.
• There are around 6.8 million dogs in the UK².
• It is estimated that the dog population of the UK produces 900 tonnes of faeces every day³.
• Over a ten year lifetime, a dog can produce up to half a ton of faeces⁴.

The Law

Dog fouling is covered by several relevant legislations.

• The Dog (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 in England and Wales.
• The Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003 .
• Litter (Animal Droppings) Order 1991 - Made under section 84 (14) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990
• Statutory Instruments Nos 2762 and 2763
• DoE Circular No 18/96 (Welsh Office No 54/96)

These Acts require owners to clear up immediately after their dog, should it foul on 'designated land'. Individual local authorities use them as a basis to create byelaws, which allow for instant fixed penalty fines as well as nominating the designated areas in the appropriate borough. The fines start at around £40, rising to £1,000 - the maximum amount that can be issued in a courtroom.

Designated areas are usually anywhere that dog faeces are likely to cause a health hazard to people. These include children's play parks, public greens and parks, residential areas, cycle paths and walkways to name a few. Some borough councils employ dog wardens to patrol these areas and catch irresponsible dog owners failing to clean up.

Health Risks

All faeces contain bacteria that can cause stomach upsets if ingested. However the greatest risk to public health from dog faeces is toxocariasis.

Toxocariasis

Toxocariasis is an infection of the round worm Toxocara canis⁵. It is a zoonotic⁶ disease that is spread via unwashed vegetables and dog faeces. Young children in particular are at risk due to their weaker immunity and the fact that they are more likely to expose themselves by ingesting the eggs. A puppy can pass as many as 15,000 eggs per gram of faeces, and are a major source of environmental contamination.

Each T. canis female can lay up to 700 eggs a day. These are passed out when the dog defecates and can survive for up to three years in soil. After two to three weeks of warm weather the eggs develop into an embryo state, containing larva and become infective to dogs and people.

The larvae try to migrate through the body as they would in dogs, but the human body treats them as foreign material, which causes a reaction and tissue damage.

There are two types of toxocariasis - Visceral larva migrans (VLM) and Ocular larva migrans (OLM).

VLM is where the larvae reach the liver causing inflammation and symptoms such as abdominal pain and pyrexia. Most people recover spontaneously.

OLM occurs when a migrating larva reaches the eye. It causes a granuloma to form on the retina causing significant visual impairment and in severe cases even blindness.

There are about 12 new cases of OLM diagnosed annually in the UK⁷.

Reduce the Risk

• Poop scoop every time. Keep a packet of bags next to the dog's lead as a reminder to take them with you.
• Dogs should be wormed regularly - every three to six months. Use a prescription wormer from a veterinary surgeon.
• Exercise dogs in dedicated 'dog areas' of parks if available.
• Do not take dogs into parks where there is a children's playground.
• Contact the local authority and ask for a poop bin to be put in place.

Bag It and Bin It

The 'poop scoop' is a very simple plastic claw device that is used in conjunction with 'poop bags'.

Poop bags are very similar to nappy sacks. They are a small plastic bag with two handles at the top to tie a knot in to seal them closed.

The bottom of the bag is placed so it is sitting in the 'claw' and the top of the bag folded over the outside of it, covering the hand. It is then used to grab the faeces, and closed. The bag is then turned inside out over the claw and the faeces are sealed in the bag. Neither the hand or poop scoop come into contact with the faeces, so proving to be a very hygienic way to lift dog faeces. Any small plastic bag can be used (providing it has no air holes in it!) but most people don't even want to handle the faeces through a bag.

The filled bag is either carried home for safe disposal via the refuse bin, dog loo or placed in one of the dedicated 'poop bins', provided by the local authority, that are situated in dog walking areas. If it is not possible to dispose of the bag at home then it must be double-wrapped before being placed in a public litter bin.

Commercial poop bags are available to buy from supermarkets, veterinary clinics, pet stores and even large garden centres. Many local authorities now provide free poop bags, such is the importance of cleaning up after dogs.

Pregnant women and those with impaired immunity should take extra precautions when cleaning up the faeces by wearing disposable gloves available from chemists.