Cumberland Council is urging dog owners to responsibly clean up after their pets or risk fines of up to £100.
The council's Enforcement Team has been actively visiting areas across Cumberland, placing informative stickers and stencils to remind dog owners of their responsibility to pick up after their dogs. The team operates under four key principles: Engage, Educate, Explain, and Enforce. A zero-tolerance approach ensures a consistent response to dog fouling.
Dog owners are reminded to do their part in keeping our community clean and safe by always carrying bags, picking up after their pets, and disposing of waste properly, as failing to do so is illegal.
In recent enforcement actions, a woman in Maryport received a £100 fine after walking away as her dog fouled. Similarly, two instances of dog fouling occurred on Parton Beach, where the owners were not present to clean up.
Councillor Denise Rollo, Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient, and Connected Places, emphasised the importance of community cooperation:
“We know that most dog owners are responsible and take pride in keeping our public spaces clean. Dog fouling is not just unpleasant; it is a crime that poses serious health risks. Failing to clean up after your dog can spread diseases which can cause severe illness, particularly in children.
“Our Enforcement Team is dedicated to keeping our community clean and safe and engaging with pet owners, but we are firm in our message: if you don’t pick it up, expect to face a fine. We have a zero-tolerance approach to dog fouling!”
Cumberland Council is committed to ensuring clean and welcoming spaces for everyone to enjoy. Residents are encouraged to report instances of dog fouling and join the effort to keep Cumberland beautiful and hygienic for all.
For more information or to report an incident, please visit Cumberland Council’s website.
