Knowsley Council is urging dog owners to be responsible and clean up after their pets as part of its ongoing efforts to maintain clean and safe public spaces. The reminder comes after reports of dog fouling in local areas, including cemeteries, and highlights the council’s enforcement powers and educational initiatives aimed at promoting responsible dog ownership.
Dog fouling and the PSPO
The Council’s Dog Warden Service has reiterated that residents should always carry bags to clean up after their dogs and dispose of waste in appropriate bins. This comes in light of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) introduced on 28 January 2025, which local governments in the UK can decide when to issue, to deal with the use of local public spaces. Amongst other matters, it sets out rules relating to dog fouling and dog control in public spaces.
Knowsley’s PSPO provides the council with powers to enforce responsible dog ownership. Under the order, dog owners can face fines for failing to clean up after their pets. While the maximum fine allowed under the PSPO is £1,000, the council has confirmed that only two £100 fines have been issued in 2025.
The order also includes rules requiring dogs to be kept on leads in certain areas, such as cemeteries, allotments, designated woodlands, and golf courses. Dogs are prohibited from children’s play areas and spaces used for sports and leisure.
According to the council, these measures are intended to protect public health, maintain clean streets, and ensure that public spaces remain enjoyable for all residents.
Practical advice for dog owners
Dog owners are encouraged to take several practical steps to comply with the PSPO and support community efforts:
- Always carry a bag or other means to clean up after your dog.
- Control your dog and monitor when it has fouled.
- Dispose of dog bags in the nearest bin or your maroon bin at home if no public bins are nearby.
- Keep dogs on leads in sensitive areas, including cemeteries, allotments, and designated woodland.
The council notes that most residents are already responsible dog owners. However, the actions of a minority, who fail to clean up, create a blight on streets and public spaces.
Balancing enforcement and community engagement
The council has outlined a two-fold approach to tackling dog fouling. First, the Dog Warden and Environmental Enforcement Officers patrol hotspot areas identified through resident reports. The aim is to identify and hold offenders accountable while encouraging compliance with the PSPO.
The new Environmental Enforcement team will patrol the borough to identify environmental offences, including dog fouling, littering and fly tipping. These officers will patrol the borough and help identify offenders while supporting community awareness campaigns.
The Local Authority has outlined a two-fold approach to tackling dog fouling. First, the Dog Warden and Environmental Enforcement Officers patrol hotspot areas identified through resident reports. The aim is to identify and hold offenders accountable while encouraging compliance with the PSPO. Knowsley Council is also running responsible dog ownership events across the borough. These events offer free microchipping, behavioural advice, and general guidance on being a responsible dog owner, including carrying bags, cleaning up after pets, and keeping dogs on leads in sensitive areas.
The Local Authority emphasises that these educational efforts complement enforcement measures, promoting positive behaviour rather than relying solely on punitive action.
Residents are encouraged to report dog fouling incidents on the Council’s website via the Report It portal. The Council uses these reports to identify hotspot areas and target patrols effectively. This approach allows the council to focus its resources efficiently while also involving the community in maintaining clean public spaces. By reporting incidents, residents help ensure that persistent offenders can be identified and educated and, if necessary, penalised.
Cabinet member statement
Knowsley’s cabinet member for communities and neighbourhoods, Cllr Shelley Powell, commented:
We know that most residents are responsible owners and pick up after their dogs if they foul when out on a walk. However, the selfish and irresponsible actions of the few create a blight on our streets and public spaces and are particularly reprehensible in areas such as cemeteries where people come to remember and pay respects to loved ones.
This statement highlights the council’s recognition of the community’s contribution and the impact of a minority of offenders.
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