How big a problem does it remain in Scotland?

More than 20 years after the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act was introduced, how much of a problem is dog mess today?

The Scottish government and councils say most dog owners act responsibly, but concerns have been raised about the numbers of people who do not pick up after their pet.

A rise in dog ownership in Scotland since 2020 has been partly fuelled by so-called “pandemic puppies”, according to the Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill introduced by MSP Christine Grahame last year.

People who found themselves working from home due to Covid restrictions in 2020 and 2021 were among those buying new pets.

The Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003 provides powers to police and councils to deal with such issues.

It applies to any public open place – streets, paths, parks and sports pitches.

Dog owners are required to clean up after their pets, and dispose of the waste appropriately.

People caught not picking up after their dog can be issued with a fixed penalty notice (FPN) of £80.

If the fine is not paid within 28 days, it increases to £100.

The law does have a number of exemptions – including for guide dogs – and does not apply to agricultural land.

The picture across the country is a varied one.

In Aberdeenshire, the local authority said the law only allowed it to issue fines if the act of fouling was witnessed.

“And as you can imagine this is not always possible,” said a spokesperson.

“Ultimately it is responsibility of dog owners to pick up after their pets and we are encouraged by the fact that the vast majority of dog owners do this.”

Moray Council said it often received reports of locations of fouling but no details of who the dog owners might be.

It added that it, like many other councils, did not have the resources to intensively monitor for dog fouling.

East Dunbartonshire Council stressed that it would be unfair to concentrate solely on numbers of FPNs issued as a measure of community wardens’ efforts.

It said: “This is only one tool and their remit is much wider than enforcement work and issuing fines.

“As well as enforcement activities, wardens also work hard to raise awareness and change behaviours on community safety matters such as dog fouling.”

Keep Scotland Beautiful is concerned the problem refuses to go away. It highlighted how some dog owners bag dog waste but then do not properly dispose of it.

Chief executive Barry Fisher said: “Dog fouling is the most offensive form of litter on our streets and parks.

“It is dirty and unpleasant.”

Concerns have also been raised in the Scottish Borders, where the local council received 94 complaints last year and issued six FPNs.

Kelso’s provost Gavin Horsburgh said the situation was so bad locally he wanted a law change to prevent dog walkers from entering football pitches.

He said: “Recently games have had to be cancelled because the coach had to pick up dog fouling.

“It’s really disgusting.”

Zazi Todd, author of book Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy, said research had highlighted differing attitudes to dog fouling.

“In a more urban environment, like a park, everyone agreed that you should pick up,” she said.

“But when it came to open countryside and farmland there was actually quite a significant minority of people who thought it didn’t matter, that you didn’t need to.

“I think this suggests that people are thinking of the implications for other people using an area – they’re not thinking so much about the impact on the environment.”

A Lancaster University study also found small numbers of people did not pick up after their dogs because they felt embarrassed to be seen carrying poo bags.

Various attempts have been made to encourage responsible behaviour.

West Dunbartonshire Council has in the past highlighted fouling by spray painting it pink.

Now the council tries to support dog owners by issuing four million free dog waste bags every year.

Dundee City Council said tackling fouling was a component of its Take Pride in Your City campaign.

In North Ayrshire, the council has converted standard litter bins to double its capacity to handle dog waste.

Inverclyde Council stencils pavements with No Dog Fouling messages.

The Scottish government said the legislation in place provided the necessary powers to help councils tackle the problem.

A spokesperson added: “The Scottish government works with Police Scotland, local authorities, the SSPCA and other partners to encourage responsible dog ownership and keep communities safe.”