Dog Waste Bins

North Dorset does not have a statutory duty to provide dog bins however we have approximately 350 red dog waste bins around the district.  The number of dog bins provided in North Dorset has increased by 240% over the past 10 years; some of these are emptied up to three times a week.  Unfortunately the resources employed to service the bins have not increased during this period. 

Due to disposal difficulties new bins are combined litter and dog waste.  NDDC works with Town and Parish Councils, in order to determine where bins should be installed/located. This is a pro-active measure to try and reduce incidents of dog fouling.

It is the responsibility of the dog owner to clear up after their dog(s) in a responsible manner, failure to do so could result in the guilty party incurring a Fixed Penalty Notice, or if the matter were successfully prosecuted before the Magistrates, a fine.  This is issued by the Dog Warren

Responsible dog owners who attempt to deposit materials into a dog bin, but discovers it is full, should not deposit the waste at the base of the bin, as this constitutes the offence of ‘littering’ subject to enforcement action as described above. They should take the material to the nearest available bin or take the waste home for disposal.

Occasionally we receive reports from members of the public that a dog bin is full, evidenced by plastic bags hanging out of the top. However, this is not always the case, sometimes it is simply the fact that materials have not been deposited in the bin correctly and the bag has been caught in the lid of the bin, giving the impression it is full.   Because of the quantities involved, it is thought likely that this material has come from somebody’s home, rather than an individual out walking their dog. This is not what the bins are provided for and clearly demonstrates the scheme is being abused.

The bins are designed to seal any odours in, as far as possible. Clearly if the lid is not secured properly odours are more likely to escape. Operatives servicing the bins are issued with a disinfectant spray to use on the bins in an attempt to suppress this problem; however, the smell is usually from the contents of the bin, not the bin itself.

Who to report problems to:

Dog Warden

Part of the function of the Dog Warden service is to educate and encourage dog owners to clear up after their dog(s); however they also have the power to take enforcement action against offending members of the public who do not comply with the legislation.  Link to Dog Warden Page

Waste Management

The Waste Management department has a duty to remove faeces from the adopted highway. Link to Animal Fouling Page

The Waste Management department has a duty to empty overflowing bins.  Link to Bin Page

Request for new bin

Requests need to be made through parish and town councils (not individuals) for new bins, these are dealt with as and when received and subject to available funds.