CONWY County Borough Council has administered the sixth-highest number of fines for dog fouling in the UK since 2017.

In data from a study by Kennel Store, a dog housing superstore, Conwy’s figures totalled 204 fines from 2017-2021.

However, the figures were an indication of significant progress is tackling the issue, with a huge drop in fines given, falling from 118 cases in 2017 to just one in 2021.

With almost 12.9 million dogs across Britain, the country is full of lovers of canine companions.

Kennel Store aimed to see which councils in the UK are the most vigilant for fining people for their dogs defecating on the pavements, with Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council topping the list with 445 fines handed out in the same time period.

Neil Hutchinson from Kennel Store said, “We’ve conducted the following study because we know that the biggest annoyance regarding dogs in the UK is dog fouling.”

“Dog fouling is illegal in the UK and the law states that being unaware a dog has fouled or not having a suitable bag is not a reasonable excuse, and could result in dog walkers being penalised. Not only this, but it is extremely dangerous as contact with dog excrement can cause toxocariasis – a nasty infection that can lead to dizziness, nausea, asthma and even blindness or seizures

“When investigating fine procedures in each district council, we discovered some councils do not implement fines, and alternatively they offer education as to why not picking up dog excrement is dangerous and the importance of keeping our streets clean.

For the full report on dog fines in the country, visit https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1x5LLsu0UEkBmGf1Vz5I6uOMy5d_AoJ0_f_Qol86wLp4/edit#gid=1971396639.