Yes. It's not ideal to have a bag of dog shit sitting in the bottom of your bin for a week, but are we really pretending our bins aren't already disgusting on the reg? As long as a bag is tied properly it shouldn't be an issue.
By law, owners must clean up after their dog if it fouls in a public place. Dog mess on streets and grass verges will be cleaned as part of the street cleaning schedule. Action may be taken if it is a significant problem, such as outside a school, or on a regular basis.
Trash or Green bin: Which bin does dog poop go in?
Is it illegal to leave dog poo in your garden?
If you find that your neighbour is not cleaning up dog dirt in their garden on a regular basis you can take a private action against them in the Sheriff Court under Section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. (See Statutory Nuisance law for more information).
The simplest way to dispose of your dog's poop is by picking it up with a bag and throwing it away in the trash. Sending poop to the landfill might seem like it's bad for the environment, but this is actually a pretty great option when you balance convenience with the need to protect soil and water from contamination.
How long can you put dog poo down the toilet in the UK?
No. Dog poo must not be flushed down the toilet under any circumstances as our water systems are not made to handle this type of waste and cannot kill harmful pathogens or bacteria.
Never flush biodegradable or 'flushable' poo bags and cat litter down the toilet. It's currently not advised to flush cat and dog faeces, due to it's pathogenic content, lack of appropriate treatment measures, and the unknown risks of excreted parasite treatments and medicines on wildlife and the wider environment.
Pet waste such as cat litter and dog poo should be bagged and put in your general waste (black sack). Do not put dog waste and cat litter in your brown bin.
Never allow your dog's poo to be washed down drains or be left in garden beds. Be sure not to put their waste in recycling bins. Designated poo bins are best. Be sure to wash your hands after going out for a walk and picking up any waste.
By setting up a pet poop compost at home, you can also use home compostable dog poop bags – like those available at Biogone – while picking up after your dog on walks or trips and then dispose of them in your compost bin at home. Easy and no dramas!
Improper disposal of dog waste, such as flushing or allowing it to enter stormwater drains, can lead to significant pollution in local waterways. Dog waste contains harmful bacteria and parasites, including E. coli and Giardia, which can contaminate rivers, lakes, and other water sources.
Attracting pests – Dog feces can attract rats, mice, and other pests to your property. Creating a messy yard – Nobody wants to see or smell dog feces when they are enjoying time in their own backyard. Assuming you have a healthy pet, picking up their waste is more for your benefit than theirs.
What is the penalty for breaking the law? You could receive a fixed penalty notice of £100 for breaking the law (or £60 if paid within 10 days). The maximum penalty if you are convicted is a fine of £1,000.
Maybe invest in a set of wheelie bin lock straps - posh bungee cords with a hook to hold the lid down. Most of my neighbours use them and it seems to deter the casual “chuck it in here” approach… Yelhsa M Nehpets yep and commercial waste bins when waiting for collection with household waste.
Always carry poop bags to clean up after your dog. Dispose of the bag in a proper trash receptacle—leaving bags in parks or trails is considered littering and may result in fines. Promptly picking up waste helps prevent soil and water contamination.
Can you report people for not picking up dog poop?
Dog owners must clean up after their dogs if they foul public spaces. You can report online someone who does not clean up after their dog. Some dog owners act irresponsibly and do not clean up after their dogs.
Dog poo must go in your general waste bin. It's not recyclable or compostable thanks to the nasty germs it contains like Salmonella and E. Coli. Make sure you double-bag it to prevent odours or spillage.
