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#Post#: 110641--------------------------------------------------
FPN for dog walker not carrying a poo bag
DIR By: Glitch
Date: February 22, 2026, 3:31 am
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Saw a video of a Manchester City enforcement officer asking dog
walker if they have a poo bag.
Apparently it is an offence not to be have one if you are
walking a dog in certain areas.
As a responsible dog owner I always have bags on me and my worst
nightmare is the dog pooing and I can't pick it up.
I get the principle of fining if you don't pick it up, but
fining if you can't produce a means of picking up poo, is that
enforceable/legal?
If it happened to me I'd just say I'll use my sock 😉
#Post#: 110654--------------------------------------------------
Re: FPN for dog walker not carrying a poo bag
DIR By: mickR
Date: February 22, 2026, 5:10 am
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or the CEOs hat
#Post#: 110661--------------------------------------------------
Re: FPN for dog walker not carrying a poo bag
DIR By: Southpaw82
Date: February 22, 2026, 6:09 am
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Another (mis)use of a public spaces protection order? I’m not
sure they have the vires to require the production of proof
(i.e. you must produce a poo bag on demand). It’s ridiculous.
#Post#: 110916--------------------------------------------------
Re: FPN for dog walker not carrying a poo bag
DIR By: facade
Date: February 24, 2026, 5:46 am
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It depends on the PSPO, HMG reckon that carrying poo bags and a
scoop (I don't own one, handling my own dog's poo through a bag
isn't a problem) can be required by the PSPO.
HTML https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/public-spaces-protection-orders<br
/> (enforcement is by £100 on the spot fines, or risk upto £1000
in Court)
My own Council (Walsall) have one PSPO, covering the town
centre, and the relevant section of must dos is
--- Quote ---
> It is ordered that the following specified things are done by
persons carrying on specified activities in this restricted
area.
>
> 1. Any person in charge of a dog in a public place must keep
the dog on a lead or otherwise under physical control at all
times.
>
--- End Quote ---
I presume that they could insert a point about carrying the
means to clear up any dog fouling at all times in this section,
and anything else that isn't discriminatory that they feel like-
wearing an upper body covering (as well as a lower body
covering) springs to mind.
The BBC reported that someone was fined for no poo bags
HTML https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gpzxnl7l9o
I recall reading a thread somewhere about an owner being fined
because they had used their last bag clearing up and no longer
had the means to clear up as required, but I can't track it
down.
EDIT:
I don't know why I didn't think of this in the first place, but
Manchester publish their PSPOs
HTML https://www.manchester.gov.uk/directory_record/438586/dog_fouling/category/1732/control_of_dogs
and indeed it does state
--- Quote ---
> A person in charge of a dog on land specified in the Schedule
to this Order must have with him an appropriate means to pick up
dog faeces deposited by that dog forthwith unless :-
>
> (a) he has reasonable excuse for failing to do so; or
> (b) the owner, occupier or other person or authority having
control of the land has consented (generally or specifically) to
his failing to do so.
>
> The obligation is complied with if, after a request from an
authorised officer or constable, the person in charge of the dog
produces an appropriate means to pick up dog faeces.
--- End Quote ---
#Post#: 110921--------------------------------------------------
Re: FPN for dog walker not carrying a poo bag
DIR By: andy_foster
Date: February 24, 2026, 6:22 am
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SP's point was not that the PSPO didn't purport to give
themselves the power to issue fines for failing to prove that
they had a poo bag to hand, but whether the enabling primary
legislation provided such powers. Secondary legislation cannot
do what the enabling legislation does not provide for it to be
able to do.
#Post#: 110939--------------------------------------------------
Re: FPN for dog walker not carrying a poo bag
DIR By: facade
Date: February 24, 2026, 7:46 am
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Obviously I bow to those with Legal Qualifications, but to my
reading, section 59 of the Anti Social Behaviour Crime and
Policing act 2014 does provide for making it a requirement to
carry something to clean up after your dog, provided that:
There is a persistent problem with dog fouling in that area
(would be stated in the order)
It is reasonable for a person in charge of a dog to carry the
means to clean up after it (I would agree that it is, sitting
typing with half a dozen bags in my pocket)
The justification for it being that having the means to clean up
after your dog demonstrably would
--- Quote ---
> reduce that detrimental effect or to reduce the risk of its
continuance, occurrence or recurrence
--- End Quote ---
as not having anything to clean it up would either mean it
would be left there, or you'd have to pick it up in your bare
hands (unlikely), or as Glitch suggested, in your sock! (again,
unlikely unless there was a suitable enforcer watching you)
HTML https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/12/section/59
#Post#: 110941--------------------------------------------------
Re: FPN for dog walker not carrying a poo bag
DIR By: Southpaw82
Date: February 24, 2026, 7:51 am
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I see the point of my post has eluded most people.
#Post#: 110943--------------------------------------------------
Re: FPN for dog walker not carrying a poo bag
DIR By: DWMB2
Date: February 24, 2026, 7:52 am
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--- Quote from: facade link ---
>
> Obviously I bow to those with Legal Qualifications, but to my
reading, section 59 of the Anti Social Behaviour Crime and
Policing act 2014 does provide for making it a requirement to
carry something to clean up after your dog
>
--- End Quote ---
It being a requirement to carry something to clean up after your
dog is not necessarily the same thing as it being a requirement
to prove to a council employee who stops you in the street that
you are carrying such items.
#Post#: 111000--------------------------------------------------
Re: FPN for dog walker not carrying a poo bag
DIR By: Glitch
Date: February 24, 2026, 10:28 am
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--- Quote from: Southpaw82 link ---
>
> I see the point of my post has eluded most people.
>
--- End Quote ---
That was the key question for me. Seeing someone spit, or
dropping litter, or not picking up your dog's poo is
understandable.
Being able to produce a poo bag is not proof you are going to
use it.
Why not insist people have a bag to spit in or to carry their
litter, or fine people just for chewing gum in case they spit it
out?
Or, empty your pockets to see if there is anything on your
person that could become litter.
It seems a step too far. crime prevention enforcement!
#Post#: 111010--------------------------------------------------
Re: FPN for dog walker not carrying a poo bag
DIR By: NewJudge
Date: February 24, 2026, 11:06 am
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Presumably under the "reasonable excuse" provision you could
argue that you had used the two bags you brought with you and
the dog never usually craps more than twice. I don't know if you
could use the same provision to argue that your dog only craps
in your back garden and never in the street.
I'm glad I don't own a dog.
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