ST Helens Council has revealed the number of fines for dog fouling it has issued since 2017.

Kennel Store has conducted FOI requests for every local district throughout the UK regarding dog fouling fines over the last five years.

The data shows St Helens handed out 11 fines in 2017; five in 2018, none in 2019; one in 2020, and none in 2021 – which is a total of 17 since 2017.

Neil Hutchinson, from Kennel Store, said: “We’ve conducted the following study because we know that the biggest annoyance regarding dogs in the UK is dog fouling.

“The UK is a nation of dog lovers, and with data reporting that there are an estimated 12.9 million dogs across Britain, there’s no denying that we are a country of canine companions.

“But when it comes to walking your dog, Kennel Store wanted to see which councils in the UK are the most vigilant for fining people for their dogs defecating on the pavements.

“Dog fouling is illegal in the UK and the law states that being unaware a dog has fouled or not having a suitable bag is not a reasonable excuse, and could result in dog walkers being penalised.

“Not only this, but it is extremely dangerous as contact with dog excrement can cause toxocariasis – a nasty infection that can lead to dizziness, nausea, asthma and even blindness or seizures.

“When investigating fine procedures in each district council, we discovered some councils do not implement fines, and alternatively they offer education as to why not picking up dog excrement is dangerous and the importance of keeping our streets clean.”

St Helens Council says it has a ‘zero-tolerance approach’ to any form of littering, fouling and fly-tipping and won’t hesitate to enforce ‘whenever and wherever’ it has sufficient evidence.

A spokesman added: “Our parks and open spaces are vital places and we are committed to making them as accessible and attractive to residents as possible.

“We have a total of 502 dog waste bins in our parks, highways and rural trails, not to mention the hundreds of normal waste bins, all regularly emptied, in which bagged dog waste can be disposed of – so there is absolutely no excuse for dog fouling, or any other form of littering.

“We have dedicated street cleansing and environmental warden teams out on the streets and in our green spaces every day, but ultimately it is the dog owners’ responsibility to clean up after their pet.

“It is also the case that environmental wardens must have sufficient evidence and supporting statements from complainants to issue a penalty, and so we’d encourage residents to report dog fouling to us via our Contact Centre online at www.sthelens.gov.uk/report-a-problem or by calling 01744 676789.”