Responsible dog ownership

Dog fouling

We have around 430 dog waste bins across Dacorum. You can find your nearest bin on our local information map. You can also put your dog waste in any normal litter bin. If you do not clear up after your dog, you may receive a fixed penalty notice, or face court action and a fine. We work with District Enforcement - a company that specialises in enviro-crime enforcement - to issue Fixed Penalty Notices. Find out more about District Enforcement.

Report dog fouling

If there is severe or persistent dog fouling in a particular area, please report it to us.

Report dog fouling online 

Report a full dog waste bin

If you come across a full dog waste bin, you can report the issue using our online form:

Report a full dog waste bin

Please note: The Canal and River Trust manages and maintains canal towpaths through the borough. If you want to report an issue on the towpath, please email enquiries.londonsoutheast@canalrivertrust.org.uk.

Report a damaged or missing dog waste bin

If a dog waste bin is damaged or missing, please use our online form to report the issue.

Report a damaged or missing dog waste bin

Please note: The Canal and River Trust manages and maintains canal towpaths through the borough. If you want to report an issue on the towpath, please email enquiries.londonsoutheast@canalrivertrust.org.uk.

Barking dogs

• Don't let your dog bark or whine for long periods
• Keep your dog indoors if it barks when unattended or disturbed
• If your dog still barks when indoors, make arrangements to leave it with a neighbour or friend or get someone to call in. Leave its favourite toy or put the radio on at a very low volume
• Move the kennel or put up a fence so that your dog is disturbed less often by passers-by
• Attend a dog training class to retrain your dog and change its behaviour.

To make a noise complaint about a barking dog, please go to our noise complaints page.

Identification

Microchipping

Microchipping is a legal and permanent way of identifying a dog. All dogs over eight weeks of age must be microchipped. If you do not have your dog microchipped, or if you give incorrect details, you can be fined.

A microchip is a tiny chip, approximately the size of a grain of rice, bearing a unique number. It is implanted under the animal’s skin at the back of the neck. Dog wardens, vets and animal rescue centres can scan the chip using a special reader.

By checking the unique number against a central database, a lost pet can be reunited with its owner anywhere in the country. If you would like your dog microchipped, please email animalwelfare@dacorum.gov.uk or call 01442 228000 and ask for "Animal Welfare".

Collar and tag

All dogs must wear a collar with the owner’s name and address on it when in a public place. The details can be on the collar itself or on a tag attached to the collar. You may also wish to include a phone number,

Controlling your dog

You must keep your dog under control at all times. Visit the Government website to find out more about controlling your dog in public and the penalties involved.

Animal Welfare Act 2006

The Animal Welfare Act 2006 makes owners and keepers responsible for ensuring they meet the welfare needs of their animals. These include the need:

• for a suitable environment (place to live)
• for a suitable diet
• to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
• to be housed with, or apart from, other animals (if applicable)
• to be protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease.

Anyone who is cruel to an animal, or does not provide for its welfare needs, may be banned from owning animals, fined up to £20,000 and/or sent to prison.