Useful information
Community Dog
Warden Scheme
DEFRA Guidance on Sections 55 to 67 of the Clean Neighborhoods
and Environment Act 2005
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dog-control-orders
ENCAMS (an environmental charity that runs the Keep Britain Tidy
campaign) has produced a comprehensive guide:
keepbritaintidy.org/dogs/publications/guidedog.pdf
No Messing!
Keep Britain Tidy General dog fouling issues with the UK
http://www.keepbritaintidy.org/dogfouling/573
North Norfolk District Council Environmental Protection:
01263 516085 or ep@north-norfolk.gov.uk
North Norfolk District Council Commercial Team: 01263 516008 for
health and safety enquiries
Community dog warden scheme, helping
keep North Norfolk clean and green!
North Norfolk District Council
Holt Road
Cromer
Norfolk
NR27 9EN
Environmental Protection: 01263 516085
www.northnorfolk.org
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Help us stop
this mess!
Help us stop
this mess!
Contents
Introduction
Introduction
3
Portfolio Holder
4
What is dog fouling?
5
The council and dog fouling
6
Carrying out a Dog Warden Patrol
7
Health and Safety
9
Appendix 1
10
Appendix 2
11
Useful Information
back page
Thank you for volunteering to become a North Norfolk Community
Dog Warden. It is individuals like you who can really make a
difference to the quality and pride in our local environment.
As you are aware, local environmental quality is very important to
communities, and to us at North Norfolk District Council (NNDC).
Local government at all levels in Norfolk work hard to make sure
public land is kept clean and green, but we need your help to
continue the good work.
This information pack has been
designed to help you carry out
your community dog warden work
and we hope you will find the
information useful.
Dog fouling is a growing problem.
There are estimated to be more
than 8 million dogs producing
more than 1,000 tonnes of mess
every day in the UK alone.
This guide will give you an overview of how you can help combat
this problem by being a good dog warden and incorporating
NNDC’s commitment to community involvement by embracing the
government’s localism agenda to empower individuals and
communities to take more responsibility for their own future, to build
a stronger civic society.
Community Dog Warden Scheme
email: ep@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Community Dog Warden Scheme
email: ep@north-norfolk.gov.uk
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Help us stop
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What is Dog fouling?
For many people, dog fouling is the most important issue on the
local environmental agenda, and rightly so; figures show this is a
widespread and growing problem. But what actually is dog fouling,
and who is responsible for clearing it up? What can you do to help
influence and improve the quality of your
local environment?
Councillor John Lee
Deputy leader and portfolio holder for the
Environment, Leisure and Cultural Services
Dear Community Dog Warden,
I would like to personally thank you for volunteering to become a
Community Dog Warden, helping us make our local environment
and community a cleaner place.
We appreciate you taking active concern about dog fouling in your
local environment and taking this positive approach in helping us
to tackle it.
The council works hard to keep North Norfolk a beautiful and tidy
district however; we can’t be everywhere all of the time and this is
where you come in. We rely on the hard work, goodwill and
dedication of our volunteers and I hope that we can change the
behaviour of those who act irresponsibly and inspire them to follow
your example.
Good luck and happy patrolling!
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Community Dog Warden Scheme
email: ep@north-norfolk.gov.uk
The British dog population is between 6.5
and 7.4 million, producing 1,000 tons of
excrement a day. The annual cost of
cleaning this mess is a staggering £22
million (EnCAMs 2005).
Dog fouling is a major concern to many
people. 95% of the British population are
worried about the amount of dog fouling,
not just because of the mess it causes but
because it can also be linked to health risks
including ‘toxocara canis’. Roundworm
eggs can be found in dog mess, which can easily be picked up by
young children. This causes stomach upsets, sore throats, asthma
and in rare cases blindness. The eggs can remain active in the soil
for many years, long after the dog mess has weathered away. We
recognise most dog owners are responsible and clean up after their
pets, but a small minority continues to cause problems.
Community Dog Warden Scheme
email: ep@north-norfolk.gov.uk
5
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The Council and dog fouling
NNDC is responsible for cleansing of all public land and roads within their
boundaries. This includes all land which you and I, as the public, have access to,
with or without paying.
In January 2008, under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005,
the council introduced a Dog Control Order (The Fouling of Land by Dogs Order
2008). This Order designates all land open to the air
as a poop scoop area. As such, this includes land that
is covered but open to the air on at least one side) and
to which the public are entitled, or permitted, to have
access, with or without payment. Any one failing to
clean up after their dog within the NNDC district may
receive a fixed penalty of £80 and be taken to Court for
the offence if the fine is not paid.
The ‘No Messing’ campaign is an on-going strategy
within the council for tackling dog fouling. We’ve had enough of dog fouling
across the district, and we know you have too.
Within the council we undertake educational and enforcement dog warden
patrols in hot spot areas - this is an area having high volumes of dog walkers or
an area where dog fouling is a problem. Our aim is to educate and assist dog
walkers and to promote responsible dog ownership thus reducing the issue. In
April 2013 we carried out hot spot patrols in Sheringham and Cromer which
resulted in a reduction in dog fouling complaints and incidents.
In June 2013 The Dogs Trust, in association with Keep Britain Tidy, launched the
first ‘big scoop’ event to raise awareness within the community about dog fouling
issues. The Environmental Protection team of NNDC attended Millfield Primary
school as pooper scooper super heroes as the area around the school is
considered to be a hotspot area. As a result of this we received positive
feedback which emphasised our need for a Community dog warden scheme.
Dog fouling is our number one complaint across the district that is why we are
introducing this scheme to your local area.
6
Community Dog Warden Scheme
email: ep@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Carrying out a dog
warden patrol
Your role
As a voluntary community dog warden you will need to be friendly, open and
willing to help; this is a non-confrontational role and wardens will not have the
power to issue fixed penalty notices.
There will be no fixed hours or times you need to donate; work whenever you
are free to give up your time, although we do suggest you do not work too
long. Patrol for no more than 3 hours, no patrols in the dark, conduct it in
daylight hours. It would be advisable to cover
what would be known as ‘hot spot’ areas,
where the most problems occur or where lots
of people like to walk their dogs.
Each warden will be provided with Personal
Protective Equipment; a high visibility vest and
a pocket note book and it is suggested that
notes are taken at the time of the event or
immediately after, following these simple rules:
Amount of time observed,
Distance
Visibility
Obstructions to vision
Know the person
Any reason to remember them
Time since incident
Errors or omissions
The notes can then be utilised when making a statement if you witness
someone committing an offence; an example can be seen in Appendix 1.
Notes and statements will need to be accurate as, if the event results in a
prosecution, you may be called to court as a witness.
Community Dog Warden Scheme
email: ep@north-norfolk.gov.uk
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If wardens receive any intelligence about a possible dog fouling offender, we
would expect the information to be passed to the council; a decision regarding
possible prosecution will be made based on all the available evidence and may
result in one of the following actions:
Health and safety
Risk Assessment
Risk assessments are provided for you (Appendix 2) but it is recommended
that you check out the area yourself for site specific hazards before you carry
out your patrol.
• Enforcement Patrols
• Door knocking
• Signage
• Warning Letter
• Offer of a Fixed Penalty Notice
• Prosecution
• No further action
One of the main issues concerned with this role is that
of conflict management as some people will become
challenging. Try to make them understand you are
there for help and advice but if that is unsuccessful
and you feel at risk, just remove yourself from the
situation and walk away.
Training will be given using scenarios to ensure you
are fully comfortable within your role. Mentoring will
also be provided in the form of spending time with
one of our enforcement officers, putting the
practical side into practice.
You will be provided with ‘goodie’ bags to give out to passing dog owners; these
will include dog poo bags, information leaflets and a window sticker. These will be
seen as an incentive and hopefully educate the wider community.
You will be provided with a high visibility vest which
should be worn at all times whilst on patrol, not only to
keep you safe but to make others aware of your
presence. We suggest, for health and safety reasons,
working in pairs, but if you are working alone it would
be advisable to make someone aware of the times
you are out on patrol and expect to return.
Some of the aims of a community dog warden are:
• Improve the link between the community and the council
• Cooperation with the public
• Education of the issues
• Promote responsible dog ownership
• Provide assistance to the community
• Reduce the dog fouling in problem areas
• Being the eyes and ears of the council
Remember you are not only representing your local community but also
North Norfolk District Council.
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Community Dog Warden Scheme
email: ep@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Insurance cover
Volunteers participate in the Community Dog Warden Scheme (‘the Scheme’)
entirely at their own risk. The Council and Council officers and members shall
not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever suffered by any volunteer or
any legal claim, action or proceedings commenced against any volunteer
participating in the Scheme or completing any role, whether authorised or
otherwise, in connection with the Scheme.
We do suggest that you take out your own insurance cover whilst participating
in the scheme but that it entirely at your own discretion.
Community Dog Warden Scheme
email: ep@north-norfolk.gov.uk
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Example Witness statement (Appendix 1)
I am …………………………………………… and volunteer as a Community
Dog Warden, a voluntary scheme run by North Norfolk District Council to
Risk Assessment (Appendix 2)
Risk Assessment
Voluntary Community Dog Warden Scheme
Service
Environmental Health
Date
…… September 2013
encourage responsible dog ownership and reduce incidences of dog fouling.
Activity
Community Dog Warden
I have received training in identifying and recording offences under the
Assessor(s)
James Wilson, Mark Whitmore
following Dog Control Orders, North Norfolk Fouling of Land by Dogs Order
Hazard
2008, etc etc…..
Who might be
harmed & How
Existing Controls
Further
Action
Required
Action by Action by Completed
Whom
when
on
On the <DATE> at approximately <TIME> I was patrolling the <LOCATION>
I witnessed the owner of <DESCRIPTION OF DOG> failing to clear up after
Confrontational
situations
Community dog warden Read body language, do not approach if you do
by people becoming
not feel comfortable in doing so; if situation
violent.
becomes confrontational then walk away. Always
approach individuals in a friendly manner.
If many situations
arise then further
safe guarding
needed.
MF
Monthly
Review
Dogs
Community dog warden Do not touch the dogs even if they look friendly;
from over protective or keep a good distance away.
aggressive dogs.
Ensure wardens are
not touching dogs.
MF
Monthly
Review
Traffic
Community dog warden Ensure PPE is worn at all times when on patrol;
by being injured by
be cautious of moving vehicles and do not put
moving traffic.
yourself in danger.
Ensure wardens are
wearing PPE
MF
Monthly
Review
Community dog wardens Work with another warden where possible. If not Ensure all wardens
from unpleasant
ensure someone knows where you are going and report to someone
situations.
how long for. Keep a mobile phone on your
person to ring if danger occurs.
MF
Monthly
Review
Animal Faeces
Community dog warden Do not pick up the dog faeces; if you come into
from toxicarsis
contact with it, wash hands thoroughly with
antibacterial soap as soon as possible.
Ensure wardens are
not picking up dog
faeces
MF
Monthly
Review
Slips and trips
Community dog wardens Beware of objects on the ground and other
debris that may obstruct your path. Also take
care when ground is wet or icy.
Do not go over
rough ground; stick
to paths
MF
Monthly
Review
Weather
conditions
Community dog wardens Check weather conditions before the patrol; do
not go out in extreme weather conditions.
Make sure wardens
are not endangering
themselves
MF
Monthly
Review
Time of day
Community dog warden It is recommended to do the patrol in daylight
hours although there is no set times.
None
MF
Monthly
Review
their dog. The owner is known to me as <NAME> of <ADDRESS> OR I do
not know the name of the owner but would describe them as
<DESCRIPTION>
At the time of the offence I was approximately X metres/feet from the scene.
The visibility was good/fair/poor and my view was unobstructed / slighty,
severely obstructed by……............................ I moved to xxxxx in order to gain a
clear and unobstructed view.
Lone Working
The owner was seen allowing his dog to foul and making no attempt to clear
the faeces up before moving away. At the time the dog fouled the dog was on a
lead, off lead and x metres/feet away from the owner.
I approached the owner and advised him/her of the offence committed and
gave them the opportunity to clear up the faeces which they did/ declined
stating “ ………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………”
I made a record of the offence in my pocket notebook and reported it to the
Environmental Protection Team at North Norfolk District Council on the
<DATE>.
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Community Dog Warden Scheme
email: ep@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Responsibility
Notes:
Hazard: anything that can cause harm, e.g. Chemicals, Workplace Transport (vehicles), Falls, Vibration, Noise, Electricity, and Stress
Who might be harmed and how: e.g. Staff, members of public, contractors
Existing Controls: What is already in place to reduce the likelihood of harm?
Further Action Required: You need to make sure you have reduced risks ‘so far as is reasonably practicable’. An easy way of doing this is to compare what you
are already doing with good practice / industry standards. If there is a difference, list what needs to be done.
Person Responsible, Date to be Actioned, Date completed: Who, when and confirmation the actions have been carried out
Community Dog Warden Scheme
email: ep@north-norfolk.gov.uk
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