Dog Fouling

With apologies for the pictures on this page, all of which were taken from a single one of our homes.

For many residents across Inverclyde, the sight of dog mess on paths, grassed areas, and common ground remains an all-too-common problem. Dog fouling is more than just an unpleasant nuisance; for River Clyde Homes, Inverclyde Council and other Social Landlords, it represents a significant and avoidable drain on resources - diverting money that could otherwise be spent on improving our housing stock and our communities.

The challenge of irresponsible dog ownership is a major contributor to the overall cost of estate management. The cost of cleaning up dog waste specifically on River Clyde Homes' properties in a 12 month period to end of August 2025 was over £11,000 - and the general cost associated with this anti-social behaviour across Inverclyde is staggering.

A Costly Community Problem

Across Scotland, local authorities spend a substantial portion of their environmental budgets on street cleansing, and dog fouling is a major driver of this expenditure.

Direct Cleanup Costs: River Clyde Homes is responsible for the removal of dog mess from our land, which includes communal back courts, close areas, and other shared spaces. This requires staff time, protective equipment, and disposal resources - money that comes directly from our budget.

Estate Management Strain: Our Estate Management Policy states that the association provides for the 'Removal of dog fouling from RCH property only,' and this work pulls staff away from other community maintenance and improvement projects.

The Wider Inverclyde Context: Inverclyde Council has reported receiving hundreds of complaints about dog fouling each year highlighting the scale of the issue locally. Greenock, in particular, accounts for the highest proportion of fines issued. This indicates that the problem is highly concentrated in the areas where many of our tenants reside, increasing the operational burden on both the council and River Clyde Homes.

Limited Fines, High Costs: While fixed penalty notices for dog fouling are set at £80 (rising to £100 if unpaid within 28 days under the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003), the number of fines actually issued and paid is low compared to the volume of complaints. This means the costs are absorbed by the council and housing providers, not borne by the minority of irresponsible owners.

Beyond the Financial Impact

The cost of dog fouling is not just measured in pounds spent on cleaning crews.

Health Hazard: Dog mess carries serious health risks, particularly for children, through the potential transmission of Toxocariasis, a parasitic infection. Areas of fouling create an immediate hazard to our youngest residents.

Reputational Damage: The presence of dog fouling diminishes the quality of life for all tenants, damages community pride, and makes our communities look unkempt and neglected, despite the best efforts of responsible dog owners and staff.

Tenancy Enforcement: River Clyde Homes’ tenancy agreement holds pet owners responsible for cleaning up after their animals and exercising them outwith RCH common areas. Repeated failure to comply can lead to tenancy enforcement action, which involves significant staff time and legal costs. In extreme cases, where fouling is traceable and persistent, it can even initiate eviction proceedings - a measure no one wishes to take, yet one driven by the anti-social actions of a few.

A Collective Responsibility

The solution lies in a concerted effort from all of us:

Responsible Ownership: Every dog owner must understand that the responsibility to clean up after their pet is a legal, ethical, and tenancy requirement. Bagged dog waste can, and should, be disposed of in any general litter bin - not just designated dog bins.

Reporting: Residents are urged to report incidents to River Clyde Homes, especially where the offender or the household is known, allowing the association to take targeted enforcement action.

Partnership: River Clyde Homes continues to work in close partnership with Inverclyde Council and other RSL's to tackle this issue through education, awareness campaigns, and enforcement.

By tackling dog fouling head-on, we can ensure that our communities are cleaner, safer, and that valuable resources are freed up to be reinvested where they matter most - in the homes and lives of our customers.

The message is clear: Clean it up, or face the consequences. REPORT IT HERE.