MyEDC

    Technical Notes 2022, Issue 212 - Distribution of Dog Poo Bags across ED Communities

    • Report by:

      Ann Davie, Depute Chief Executive

    • TN Number:

      212-22

    • Subject:

      Distribution of Dog Poo Bags across ED Communities

    • Responsible Officer:

      Evonne Bauer, Executive Officer, Place and Community Planning

    • Publication:

      This Technical Note will be published on the Council’s website following circulation to Members. Its contents may be disclosed or shared outwith the Council.

    Section

    1. The purpose of this technical note is to update members on the revised arrangements for distribution of free dog poo bags across East Dunbartonshire communities.
    2. The Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003 makes it an offence to allow a dog to defecate at any time upon a place to which the Act applies and if the person in charge of a dog at that time fails to immediately remove the faeces then that person shall be guilty of an offence unless: 
    • The person has a reasonable excuse for failing to do so; or,
    • The owner, occupier and other person or authority having control of the place has consented to the person failing to do so.
    1. At present, the fine for failing to pick up after a dog under your control is £80 and this is enforced by means of Fixed Penalty Notices issued by authorised officers of the Council who have witnessed any offences. 
    2. Officers from the Council’s Community Safety Team are responsible for enforcing this legislation. 
    3. There is no legal/statutory requirement on any local authority to provide free dog poo bags.  The     Community Safety Team currently have a dedicated annual revenue budget for purchasing dog poo bags for distribution across the local authority area which equates to an annual order  of 1 million poo bags.
    4. Prior to Covid-19, distribution across the local authority was generally to the main council buildings. However, an increasing amount of requests have been received for supplies of bags to be provided and delivered to individual shops, organisations, etc.
    5. Free poo bags were also being distributed by the Community Safety Team at a number of local community events such as gala days, Canal Festival, etc.  The Team were finding the demand for supplies was outweighing available stock and it was becoming difficult to keep up and to resource requests and drop offs. 
    6. During Covid-19 distribution was temporarily halted for a period. Upon returning to service activities, a practical decision was taken to limit future distribution to the Community Hubs, in an attempt to make sure that effective service was being provided with reference to factors such as stock control, resource and area coverage.
    7. Recently, the number of enquiries about the current distribution process from residents and organisations within our local communities has increased.
    8. Following a local review of distribution, these additional geographic areas/premises are be included in poo bag supply deliveries in the future.
      • Kirkintilloch & Lenzie    William Patrick Library Hub & Hillhead Community Centre
      • Bishopbriggs                   Hub & Auchinairn Early Years and Community Centre
      • Bearsden                          Hub
      • Milngavie                          Milngavie Community Education Centre
      • Lennoxtown                     Hub
      • Twechar                            Healthy Living Centre
      • Torrance
      • Milton of Campsie      
    1. Note that the venues for both Torrance and for Milton of Campsie are currently being arranged, and will be communicated when confirmed. This may include a local shop or business premises.
    2. It is believed that this distribution will cover all of the main towns and villages across the local area, as well as all Council Hubs and all ED Locality areas. A surplus amount of bags is being kept for distribution by the Community Safety Team at a range of local community events. The purchase of poo bags is limited within the current revenue budget allocation and therefore stocks will be programmed and delivered across the full year.
    3. This proposal reaffirms the Council’s commitment to put sustainable measures in place to tackle the significant problem of dog fouling across the local authority area.