Bag It and Bin It or Pay It
We are stepping up our efforts to tackle dog fouling with a bold new campaign - Bag It and Bin It or Pay It - which could see irresponsible dog owners land themselves a £100 fine if they fail to pick up after their pets.
The campaign aims to promote responsible dog ownership and tackle one of the borough's most reported environmental issues. Combining education, enforcement and community engagement, the initiative reflects our commitment to keeping Gateshead clean, safe, and a place residents can be proud of.
Councillor John McElroy, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said:
"This campaign is about fairness, pride, and protecting the places we all share. We know most dog owners do the right thing, but for those who don't, the message is clear: this winter, it's your choice - a free lesson or a fine. We're giving everyone the chance to change their behaviour through advice and support, but from January, there'll be no excuses.
Dog fouling is unacceptable, and we're taking action to make Gateshead cleaner, safer, and more respectful for everyone. We want every resident to feel proud of their neighbourhood and to truly love where they live."
A borough wide Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) sets out clear rules for dog owners including carrying waste bags, cleaning up after their dogs, and keeping pets on leads in designated areas such as cemeteries and school grounds.
The campaign will have two phases. Phase 1 will focus on education and changing behaviour while phase 2 will move focus on enforcement with fines being issued. All reports will be investigated.
Residents are encouraged to play their part. Anyone who witnesses dog fouling is urged to report it online or by contacting our customer service team.
View more information about the campaign and report dog fouling
We are stepping up our efforts to tackle dog fouling with a bold new campaign - Bag It and Bin It or Pay It - which could see irresponsible dog owners land themselves a £100 fine if they fail to pick up after their pets.
The campaign aims to promote responsible dog ownership and tackle one of the borough's most reported environmental issues. Combining education, enforcement and community engagement, the initiative reflects our commitment to keeping Gateshead clean, safe, and a place residents can be proud of.
Councillor John McElroy, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said:
"This campaign is about fairness, pride, and protecting the places we all share. We know most dog owners do the right thing, but for those who don't, the message is clear: this winter, it's your choice - a free lesson or a fine. We're giving everyone the chance to change their behaviour through advice and support, but from January, there'll be no excuses.
Dog fouling is unacceptable, and we're taking action to make Gateshead cleaner, safer, and more respectful for everyone. We want every resident to feel proud of their neighbourhood and to truly love where they live."
A borough wide Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) sets out clear rules for dog owners including carrying waste bags, cleaning up after their dogs, and keeping pets on leads in designated areas such as cemeteries and school grounds.
The campaign will have two phases. Phase 1 will focus on education and changing behaviour while phase 2 will move focus on enforcement with fines being issued. All reports will be investigated.
Residents are encouraged to play their part. Anyone who witnesses dog fouling is urged to report it online or by contacting our customer service team.
View more information about the campaign and report dog fouling
