DOG walkers could face fines of up to £500 under a new law.
The legislation, which comes into place this week, allows councils to slap pooch owners with on-the-spot fines.
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A law change means dog walkers risk hefty fines Credit: Getty
Councils can soon fine people up to £500 for dog fouling Credit: Alamy
As of June 29, the Crime & Policing Act 2026 will give authorities more say when it comes to tackling dog fouling.
The maximum Fixed Penalty Notice for breaches of Public Spaces Protection Orders and Community Protection Notices is going up to £500.
This is an increase of £400 from the previous capped figure of £100.
The change means councils have the power to choose the amount people are fined for anti-social behaviour offences like not picking up dog poo.
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Fly-tipping, littering and drinking in public places like the park will also warrant on-the-spot fines of up to £500.
John Roberts, chief services officer of Kingdom Local Authority Support, told the Mirror: “The Crime & Policing Act 2026 is due to give local authorities unprecedented powers to combat issues such as dog fouling and public drinking.“
It is hoped that the potential of a higher fine will deter people from leaving dog poo behind.
But it does not mean the maximum amount will always be given.
“The legislation increases the maximum Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) level for breaches of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) and Community Protection Notices (CPNs) from £100 to £500,” John added.
“It’s important to note that this is not an automatic increase, but it does give councils the ability to set penalties at a higher level where appropriate.”
